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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6100

Portability
65
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Alpha a6100 front
Portability
81
Imaging
70
Features
88
Overall
77

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6100 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
  • Released August 2012
Sony A6100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Bump to 51200)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 396g - 120 x 67 x 59mm
  • Announced August 2019
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6100 Overview

Following is a detailed review of the Pentax X-5 versus Sony A6100, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by competitors Pentax and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the X-5 (16MP) and A6100 (24MP) and the X-5 (1/2.3") and A6100 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The X-5 was unveiled 8 years earlier than the A6100 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A6100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the X-5 scores vs the A6100 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony A6100

 X-5 A6100 

Reasons to pick Sony A6100 over the Pentax X-5

 A6100 X-5 
AnnouncedAugust 2019August 2012More modern by 85 months
Screen resolution922k460kSharper screen (+462k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony A6100

 X-5 A6100 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6100 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax X-5 offers physical dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") and a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) and the Sony A6100 has sizing of 120mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") with a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax X-5 versus Sony A6100 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the X-5 compared to the A6100.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6100 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the X-5 and A6100 is 65 and 81 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6100 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6100 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes purely by seeing a spec sheet. The image below should give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the X-5 and A6100.

As you can see, the two cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The X-5 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A6100 will provide more detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged X-5 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6100 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6100 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 Portrait photography details
Sony A6100 Portrait photography details
44
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
82
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Street photography camera
Sony A6100 as a Street photography camera
50
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
heavier than competition (595g)
79
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
has touch to focus
very good ISO range (32,000)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography information
Sony A6100 Sports photography information
53
great zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
75
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography factors
Sony A6100 Travel photography factors
54
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (22mm)
very long zoom (580mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (595 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
86
has bluetooth
has touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax X-5
Landscape photography with Sony A6100
47
manual focus
decently wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse function
79
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good ISO range (32,000)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax X-5
Vlogging with Sony A6100
27
decently wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
no mic jack
heavier than competition (595 grams)
79
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
supports face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has microphone port
no image stabilization
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony A6100
 Pentax X-5Sony Alpha a6100
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X-5 Sony Alpha a6100
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2012-08-22 2019-08-28
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 32000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 425
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 22-580mm (26.4x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 230k dot 1,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes - Flash off, auto, fill flash, slow sync, rear sync, wireless, hi-speed
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 595g (1.31 lb) 396g (0.87 lb)
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 120 x 67 x 59mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 330 shots 420 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $230 $748