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Pentax X-5 vs Sony TX30

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30 front
Portability
96
Imaging
42
Features
43
Overall
42

Pentax X-5 vs Sony TX30 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
  • Announced August 2012
Sony TX30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.5-4.8) lens
  • 141g - 96 x 59 x 15mm
  • Introduced July 2013
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony TX30 Overview

Below is a extensive analysis of the Pentax X-5 and Sony TX30, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by competitors Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the TX30 (18MP) is fairly close and they possess the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The X-5 was released 11 months before the TX30 and they are both of a similar age. The two cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony TX30 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a short summary of how the X-5 grades against the TX30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony TX30

 X-5 TX30 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Sony TX30 over the Pentax X-5

 TX30 X-5 
IntroducedJuly 2013August 2012More recent by 11 months
Display dimension3.3"3"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1229k460kCrisper display (+769k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony TX30

 X-5 TX30 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Pentax X-5 vs Sony TX30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera often, you should 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") along with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Sony TX30 has dimensions of 96mm x 59mm x 15mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.6") accompanied by a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax X-5 and Sony TX30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the X-5 compared to the TX30.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony TX30 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the X-5 and TX30 is 65 and 96 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony TX30 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony TX30 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to picture the contrast in sensor measurements simply by looking through a spec sheet. The photograph here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the X-5 and TX30.

As you can see, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can anticipate the Sony TX30 to render greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images much more aggressively. The older X-5 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony TX30 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony TX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony TX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony TX30 as a Portrait photography camera
43
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
38
has manual focus
resolution is good (18MP)
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography information
Sony TX30 Street photography information
50
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
more heavy than competitors in class (595g)
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography details
Sony TX30 Sports photography details
52
incredible zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
provides tracking focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
46
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
weather proofing
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony TX30 as a Travel photography camera
53
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (22mm)
great zoom (580mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors in class (595 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
69
weather proofing
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax X-5
Landscape photography with Sony TX30
47
has manual focus
relatively wide (22mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
51
has manual focus
decently wide (26mm)
screen is a good size (3.3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 Vlogging info
Sony TX30 Vlogging info
26
relatively wide (22mm)
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
doesn't have microphone jack
more heavy than competitors in class (595 grams)
34
decently wide (26mm)
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
no mic jack
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony TX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony TX30
 Pentax X-5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X-5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Announced 2012-08-22 2013-07-26
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 22-580mm (26.4x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-4.8
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3.3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 230k dot -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m -
External flash
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 (60, 50 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 595 gr (1.31 pounds) 141 gr (0.31 pounds)
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 96 x 59 x 15mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $230 $230