Clicky

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A290

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Announced August 2012
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Previous Model is Sony A230
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A290 Overview

The following is a extended analysis of the Pentax X-5 versus Sony A290, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is fairly close but the X-5 (1/2.3") and A290 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The X-5 was introduced 2 years after the A290 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick view of how the X-5 scores versus the A290 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony A290

 X-5 A290 
LaunchedAugust 2012June 2010Newer by 27 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Pentax X-5

 A290 X-5 

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony A290

 X-5 A290 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax X-5 enjoys exterior dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") along with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Sony A290 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check the Pentax X-5 versus Sony A290 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the X-5 vs the A290.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X-5 and A290 is 65 and 66 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to envision the difference in sensor dimensions only by viewing a spec sheet. The pic underneath should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the X-5 and A290.

As you can see, both the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The X-5 with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Pentax X-5 will provide you with greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images much more aggressively. The more modern X-5 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 Portrait photography factors
Sony A290 Portrait photography factors
43
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
65
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW files
no liveview feature
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography information
Sony A290 Street photography information
50
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
heavier than competition (595 grams)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography information
Sony A290 Sports photography information
52
excellent zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
has tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview feature
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
bad battery power (290 CIPA)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax X-5
Travel photography with Sony A290
53
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (22mm)
long zoom (580mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (595 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
53
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery power (290 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography factors
Sony A290 Landscape photography factors
47
manual focus
really wide (22mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
58
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is small (2.7")
no liveview feature
bad battery power (290 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax X-5
Vlogging with Sony A290
26
really wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than competition (595g)
9
no video recording
Photography Glossary

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony A290
 Pentax X-5Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X-5 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2012-08-22 2010-06-09
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 22-580mm (26.4x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 230k dots -
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
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 595 grams (1.31 lb) 549 grams (1.21 lb)
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.5
DXO Low light score not tested 615
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 290 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $230 $600