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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A300

Portability
65
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 front
Portability
64
Imaging
49
Features
45
Overall
47

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A300 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
  • Launched August 2012
Sony A300
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Released January 2008
  • Renewed by Sony A330
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A300 Overview

Following is a in depth analysis of the Pentax X-5 versus Sony A300, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the X-5 (16MP) and A300 (10MP) and the X-5 (1/2.3") and A300 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The X-5 was manufactured 4 years after the A300 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A300 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going right into a full comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the X-5 grades against the A300 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony A300

 X-5 A300 
ReleasedAugust 2012January 2008More modern by 56 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Pentax X-5

 A300 X-5 

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony A300

 X-5 A300 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A300 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Pentax X-5 has got physical dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") having a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) and the Sony A300 has specifications of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Compare the Pentax X-5 versus Sony A300 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the X-5 versus the A300.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A300 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the X-5 and A300 is 65 and 64 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A300 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A300 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to see the difference between sensor sizes merely by reviewing technical specs. The picture here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the X-5 and A300.

As you have seen, both the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The X-5 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Pentax X-5 will offer greater detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images more aggressively. The more recent X-5 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A300 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A300 as a Portrait photography camera
44
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
59
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
MP count low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography information
Sony A300 Street photography information
50
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than competition (595 grams)
74
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography details
Sony A300 Sports photography details
53
long zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
includes tracking focus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
54
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography information
Sony A300 Travel photography information
54
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (22mm)
long reach (580mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (595 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
45
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A300 as a Landscape photography camera
47
focusing manually
really wide (22mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
57
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inches)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 Vlogging details
Sony A300 Vlogging details
27
really wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic jack
heavier than competition (595 grams)
9
no video recording
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony A300
 Pentax X-5Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X-5 Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2012-08-22 2008-01-30
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 22-580mm (26.4x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 230k dots -
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes - Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
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 gr (1.31 lb) 632 gr (1.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 64
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.4
DXO Low light score not tested 538
Other
Battery life 330 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash
Card slots One One
Retail price $230 $0