Clicky

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S III

Portability
65
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Alpha A7S III front
Portability
61
Imaging
65
Features
92
Overall
75

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S III Key Specs

Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Introduced August 2012
Sony A7S III
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Raise to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 699g - 129 x 97 x 81mm
  • Launched July 2020
  • Succeeded the Sony A7S II
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S III Overview

The following is a in depth review of the Pentax X-5 and Sony A7S III, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the X-5 (16MP) and A7S III (12MP) and the X-5 (1/2.3") and A7S III (Full frame) offer totally different sensor size.

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

The X-5 was unveiled 9 years earlier than the A7S III which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A7S III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the X-5 grades vs the A7S III when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony A7S III

 X-5 A7S III 

Reasons to pick Sony A7S III over the Pentax X-5

 A7S III X-5 
LaunchedJuly 2020August 2012Newer by 96 months
Display typeFully articulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1440k460kSharper display (+980k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony A7S III

 X-5 A7S III 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S III Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Pentax X-5 enjoys outer dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") having a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Sony A7S III has specifications of 129mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 699 grams (1.54 lbs).

Compare the Pentax X-5 and Sony A7S III in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that moment. Following is a front view size comparison of the X-5 against the A7S III.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S III size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the X-5 and A7S III is 65 and 61 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S III top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S III Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions only by reading specifications. The image underneath will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the X-5 and A7S III.

To sum up, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The X-5 using its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Pentax X-5 will offer you extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The more aged X-5 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S III sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S III Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax X-5
Portrait photography with Sony A7S III
44
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
71
focusing manually
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Street photography camera
Sony A7S III as a Street photography camera
50
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
more heavy than competitors in class (595 grams)
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
weather proof
great high ISO (102,400)
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography info
Sony A7S III Sports photography info
53
incredible zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
better than average battery power (600 per charge)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography highlights
Sony A7S III Travel photography highlights
54
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (22mm)
great reach (580mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors in class (595 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
70
better than average battery power (600 CIPA)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
boasts touch focus
display is selfie friendly
megapixel count low (12MP)
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography information
Sony A7S III Landscape photography information
47
you can focus manually
really wide (22mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse mode
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
great high ISO (102,400)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
better than average battery power (600 per charge)
2 card slots
megapixel count low (12MP)
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7S III as a Vlogging camera
27
really wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
no microphone support
more heavy than competitors in class (595g)
77
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external microphone support
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A7S III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony A7S III
 Pentax X-5Sony Alpha A7S III
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X-5 Sony Alpha A7S III
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-08-22 2020-07-21
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz XR
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4240 x 2832
Maximum native ISO 6400 102400
Maximum boosted ISO - 409600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 759
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 22-580mm (26.4x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fully articulated
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 230k dots 9,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.91x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m no built-in flash
Flash settings - no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-1, H.264, H.265
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595 grams (1.31 pounds) 699 grams (1.54 pounds)
Physical dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 129 x 97 x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 85
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 2993
Other
Battery life 330 images 600 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Card slots 1 2
Pricing at launch $230 $3,499