Clicky

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A9

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A9 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 A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Announced April 2017
  • Updated by Sony A9 II
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A9 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Pentax X-5 versus Sony A9, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the X-5 (16MP) and A9 (24MP) and the X-5 (1/2.3") and A9 (Full frame) boast totally different sensor measurements.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The X-5 was launched 5 years prior to the A9 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a short introduction of how the X-5 grades vs the A9 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony A9

 X-5 A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Pentax X-5

 A9 X-5 
AnnouncedApril 2017August 2012Fresher by 56 months
Display resolution1440k460kSharper display (+980k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony A9

 X-5 A9 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax X-5 offers exterior measurements of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") accompanied by a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Sony A9 has sizing of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Examine the Pentax X-5 versus Sony A9 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the X-5 versus the A9.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the X-5 and A9 is 65 and 65 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing merely by looking through specifications. The visual below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the X-5 and A9.

Plainly, both of those cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The X-5 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Sony A9 will provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The older X-5 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A9 Portrait photography highlights
43
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
offers face detection focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
83
focusing manually
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has face detect focus
supports RAW files
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography highlights
Sony A9 Street photography highlights
50
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than others in class (595 grams)
79
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
offers touch to focus
environment proof
great ISO range (51,200)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax X-5
Sports photography with Sony A9
52
excellent zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
86
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (20.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proof
great battery pack (650 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography features
Sony A9 Travel photography features
53
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (22mm)
long zoom (580mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than others in class (595 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
73
great battery pack (650 per charge)
environment proof
has bluetooth
offers touch to focus
decent MP (24 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography details
Sony A9 Landscape photography details
47
manual focus
decently wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
85
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
great ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proof
great battery pack (650 per charge)
2 card slots
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 Vlogging factors
Sony A9 Vlogging factors
26
decently wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone jack
more heavy than others in class (595g)
36
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony A9
 Pentax X-5Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X-5 Sony Alpha A9
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-08-22 2017-04-19
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 693
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 22-580mm (26.4x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 230 thousand dots 3,686 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1500s 1/8000s
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 20.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m no built-in flash
Flash modes - Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 595g (1.31 pounds) 673g (1.48 pounds)
Physical dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 92
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.3
DXO Low light score not tested 3517
Other
Battery life 330 photos 650 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots Single 2
Cost at release $230 $4,498