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Pentax X-5 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Pentax X-5 vs Sony NEX-5 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
  • Revealed August 2012
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-5N
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Pentax X-5 and Sony NEX-5, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is fairly comparable but the X-5 (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) feature different sensor measurements.

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The X-5 was introduced 2 years after the NEX-5 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the X-5 scores against the NEX-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony NEX-5

 X-5 NEX-5 
ReleasedAugust 2012June 2010More modern by 27 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Pentax X-5

 NEX-5 X-5 
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony NEX-5

 X-5 NEX-5 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Pentax X-5 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax X-5 enjoys outer measurements of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5 has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Check the Pentax X-5 and Sony NEX-5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the X-5 vs the NEX-5.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X-5 and NEX-5 is 65 and 89 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes only by seeing technical specs. The pic below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the X-5 and NEX-5.

As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The X-5 using its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax X-5 will provide greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images far more aggressively. The fresher X-5 should have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 Portrait photography details
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography details
43
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
provides face detection focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
72
focusing manually
MP count decent (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax X-5
Street photography with Sony NEX-5
50
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
more heavy than others in class (595 grams)
76
screen tilts up and down
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax X-5
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5
52
long zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
52
MP count decent (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax X-5
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5
53
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (22mm)
very long zoom (580mm)
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than others in class (595 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
59
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Landscape photography camera
47
has manual focus
decently wide (22mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
68
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
MP count decent (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Vlogging camera
26
decently wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone port
more heavy than others in class (595g)
28
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
does not have microphone support
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony NEX-5
 Pentax X-5Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X-5 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-08-22 2010-06-07
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
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 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 22-580mm (26.4x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 230k dots -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m 12.00 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 595 grams (1.31 lbs) 287 grams (0.63 lbs)
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 69
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 796
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 330 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at launch $230 $599