Pentax X-5 vs Sony RX1R

Below is a detailed assessment of the Pentax X-5 versus Sony RX1R, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the X-5 (16MP) and RX1R (24MP) and the X-5 (1/2.3") and RX1R (Full frame) posses different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The X-5 was released 10 months prior to the RX1R and they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony RX1R being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a full comparison, here is a short summary of how the X-5 scores vs the RX1R when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax X-5 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax X-5 Gallery & Sony RX1R Gallery.

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax X-5 offers exterior dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) whilst the Sony RX1R has measurements of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") along with a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

See the Pentax X-5 versus Sony RX1R in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the X-5 vs the RX1R.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the X-5 and RX1R is 65 and 79 respectively.

Normally, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements purely by looking at technical specs. The photograph here should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the X-5 and RX1R.

As you have seen, both the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The X-5 due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony RX1R will give greater detail as a result of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The older X-5 is going to be behind in sensor tech.