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Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX20V 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
  • Introduced August 2012
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Old Model is Sony HX10V
  • Replacement is Sony HX30V
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX20V Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Pentax X-5 and Sony HX20V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the HX20V (18MP) is pretty similar and they use the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The X-5 was announced 2 months after the HX20V which means that they are of a similar generation. The two cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a brief summary of how the X-5 matches up versus the HX20V in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony HX20V

 X-5 HX20V 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Pentax X-5

 HX20V X-5 
Screen resolution922k460kClearer screen (+462k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony HX20V

 X-5 HX20V 
IntroducedAugust 2012July 2012Similar generation
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax X-5 provides physical dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") having a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) whilst the Sony HX20V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Look at the Pentax X-5 and Sony HX20V 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 vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the X-5 vs the HX20V.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the X-5 and HX20V is 65 and 90 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to envision the difference between sensor sizes just by reading a spec sheet. The image below will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the X-5 and HX20V.

Clearly, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Sony HX20V to deliver extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots much more aggressively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Portrait photography camera
43
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
45
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
features face detection focusing
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography factors
Sony HX20V Street photography factors
50
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than competitors (595 grams)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography details
Sony HX20V Sports photography details
52
long zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers tracking focus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
49
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
features tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Travel photography camera
53
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (22mm)
long zoom (580mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors (595 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Landscape photography camera
47
you can focus manually
pretty wide (22mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
50
you can focus manually
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 Vlogging features
Sony HX20V Vlogging features
26
pretty wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone port
more heavy than competitors (595 grams)
34
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone port
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony HX20V
 Pentax X-5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X-5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-08-22 2012-07-20
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 22-580mm (26.4x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 230k dot -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 7.10 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595g (1.31 pounds) 254g (0.56 pounds)
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 320 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $230 $397