Pentax X-5 vs Sony a5000

Lets take a closer look at the Pentax X-5 vs Sony a5000, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the a5000 (20MP) is relatively well matched but the X-5 (1/2.3") and a5000 (APS-C) use totally different sensor measurements.

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The X-5 was released 16 months earlier than the a5000 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony a5000 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the X-5 grades versus the a5000 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax X-5 and Sony Alpha a5000. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax X-5 Gallery and Sony a5000 Gallery.

If you're intending to lug around your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax X-5 comes with external dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") having a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Sony a5000 has sizing of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Look at the Pentax X-5 vs Sony a5000 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the X-5 versus the a5000.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the X-5 and a5000 is 65 and 89 respectively.

In many cases, it's tough to visualise the difference between sensor measurements only by checking technical specs. The photograph below will help give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the X-5 and a5000.

As you can tell, both cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The X-5 because of its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony a5000 will give extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older X-5 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.