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Pentax X-5 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
65
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
69
Overall
61

Pentax X-5 vs Sony NEX-5N 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
  • Revealed August 2012
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Announced October 2011
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-5
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-5R
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Pentax X-5 vs Sony NEX-5N, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is very similar but the X-5 (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) use different sensor measurements.

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The X-5 was launched 11 months later than the NEX-5N and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a simple view of how the X-5 grades against the NEX-5N when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 X-5 NEX-5N 
AnnouncedAugust 2012October 2011More recent by 11 months

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

 NEX-5N X-5 
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

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

 X-5 NEX-5N 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Pentax X-5 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax X-5 has got outer measurements of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") along with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check the Pentax X-5 vs Sony NEX-5N in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the X-5 against the NEX-5N.

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

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the X-5 and NEX-5N is 65 and 89 respectively.

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

Pentax X-5 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements purely by going over specifications. The photograph underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the X-5 and NEX-5N.

To sum up, both of these cameras posses the exact same megapixels but different sensor measurements. The X-5 provides the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging. The fresher X-5 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 Portrait photography features
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography features
44
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Street photography highlights
50
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than competitors (595 grams)
80
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
includes focus via touch
good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography advice
53
incredible zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
provides tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
58
megapixel count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great battery (460 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Travel photography camera
54
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (22mm)
very long zoom (580mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors (595g)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
great battery (460 per charge)
includes focus via touch
megapixel count good (16MP)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Landscape photography camera
47
has manual focus
quite wide (22mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
71
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
great battery (460 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 Vlogging features
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging features
27
quite wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of mic port
heavier than competitors (595 grams)
33
built-in touchscreen
comes with face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
no mic jack
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony NEX-5N
 Pentax X-5Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X-5 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-08-22 2011-10-03
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 25
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 -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 230 thousand dot -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 12.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595 gr (1.31 lbs) 269 gr (0.59 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 rating not tested 77
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1079
Other
Battery life 330 shots 460 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $230 $550