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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6500

Portability
65
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Alpha a6500 front
Portability
81
Imaging
68
Features
85
Overall
74

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6500 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 A6500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Push to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 453g - 120 x 67 x 53mm
  • Launched October 2016
  • Old Model is Sony A6300
Photography Glossary

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6500 Overview

Following is a detailed analysis of the Pentax X-5 versus Sony A6500, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by competitors Pentax and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the X-5 (16MP) and A6500 (24MP) and the X-5 (1/2.3") and A6500 (APS-C) boast different sensor size.

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The X-5 was revealed 5 years prior to the A6500 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A6500 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the X-5 grades vs the A6500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony A6500

 X-5 A6500 

Reasons to pick Sony A6500 over the Pentax X-5

 A6500 X-5 
LaunchedOctober 2016August 2012More modern by 50 months
Screen resolution922k460kClearer screen (+462k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony A6500

 X-5 A6500 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6500 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax X-5 comes with physical measurements of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") accompanied by a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Sony A6500 has dimensions of 120mm x 67mm x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1") along with a weight of 453 grams (1.00 lbs).

Look at the Pentax X-5 versus Sony A6500 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the X-5 against the A6500.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6500 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the X-5 and A6500 is 65 and 81 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6500 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6500 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizes just by researching technical specs. The picture below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the X-5 and A6500.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The X-5 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Sony A6500 will result in more detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged X-5 will be behind in sensor tech.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6500 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 Portrait photography factors
Sony A6500 Portrait photography factors
44
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
80
manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography details
Sony A6500 Street photography details
50
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than average (595 grams)
85
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
environment proof
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography info
Sony A6500 Sports photography info
53
excellent zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
77
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
low battery power (350 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax X-5
Travel photography with Sony A6500
54
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (22mm)
long zoom (580mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than average (595 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
74
environment proof
supports bluetooth
provides focus via touch
resolution is good (24MP)
flash built-in
low battery power (350 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A6500 Landscape photography highlights
47
has manual focus
fairly wide (22mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
80
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
low battery power (350 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A6500 as a Vlogging camera
27
fairly wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic socket
heavier than average (595 grams)
39
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have mic support
display is not selfie friendly
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A6500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony A6500
 Pentax X-5Sony Alpha a6500
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X-5 Sony Alpha a6500
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-08-22 2016-10-06
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Highest boosted ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 425
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 22-580mm (26.4x) -
Maximal 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 diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 230k dots 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 11.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes - Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction (On/Off selectable), Hi-speed sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595 gr (1.31 lb) 453 gr (1.00 lb)
Physical dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 120 x 67 x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 85
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1405
Other
Battery life 330 photos 350 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $230 $1,298