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Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX10

Portability
65
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 front
Portability
58
Imaging
51
Features
76
Overall
61

Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX10 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
  • Revealed August 2012
Sony RX10
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-200mm (F2.8) lens
  • 813g - 129 x 88 x 102mm
  • Released March 2014
  • Newer Model is Sony RX10 II
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX10 Overview

Here is a in depth analysis of the Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX10, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Large Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the RX10 (20MP) is relatively close but the X-5 (1/2.3") and RX10 (1") possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The X-5 was unveiled 19 months prior to the RX10 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise view of how the X-5 grades against the RX10 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony RX10

 X-5 RX10 

Reasons to pick Sony RX10 over the Pentax X-5

 RX10 X-5 
ReleasedMarch 2014August 2012Fresher by 19 months
Screen resolution1290k460kClearer screen (+830k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony RX10

 X-5 RX10 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX10 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax X-5 features physical dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") accompanied by a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) and the Sony RX10 has sizing of 129mm x 88mm x 102mm (5.1" x 3.5" x 4.0") accompanied by a weight of 813 grams (1.79 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX10 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the X-5 vs the RX10.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX10 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the X-5 and RX10 is 65 and 58 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX10 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX10 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing just by looking through technical specs. The graphic here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the X-5 and RX10.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The X-5 with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony RX10 will provide you with extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older X-5 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX10 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX10 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX10 as a Portrait photography camera
44
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
70
manual focus
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Street photography camera
Sony RX10 as a Street photography camera
50
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than others in class (595g)
72
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography advice
Sony RX10 Sports photography advice
53
incredible zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
67
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
weather proofing
great battery (420 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography details
Sony RX10 Travel photography details
54
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (22mm)
long reach (580mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (595g)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
58
great battery (420 per charge)
weather proofing
decent MP (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography advice
Sony RX10 Landscape photography advice
47
manual focus
decently wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
63
manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
great battery (420 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX10 as a Vlogging camera
27
decently wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
heavier than others in class (595g)
30
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone support
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony RX10
 Pentax X-5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X-5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-08-22 2014-03-20
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 22-580mm (26.4x) 24-200mm (8.3x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.9 2.7
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 1,290 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - WhiteMagic
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 230 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500s 1/3200s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 10.20 m
Flash options - Auto, fill-flash, slow sync, rear sync, off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p) ,1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595 gr (1.31 lbs) 813 gr (1.79 lbs)
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 129 x 88 x 102mm (5.1" x 3.5" x 4.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 69
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 474
Other
Battery life 330 shots 420 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $230 $698