Pentax X-5 vs Sony W230
65 Imaging
39 Features
50 Overall
43


95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
Pentax X-5 vs Sony W230 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
- 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
- Announced February 2009

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W230 Overview
Following is a detailed review of the Pentax X-5 versus Sony W230, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the X-5 (16MP) and W230 (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The X-5 was manufactured 3 years after the W230 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.
Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the X-5 scores vs the W230 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W230 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax X-5 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The entire galleries are available at Pentax X-5 Gallery & Sony W230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony W230
X-5 | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 43 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Pentax X-5
W230 | X-5 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony W230
X-5 | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | No Touch display |
Pentax X-5 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison
When you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax X-5 provides outer dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") having a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) and the Sony W230 has proportions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).
Check out the Pentax X-5 versus Sony W230 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the X-5 and the W230.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the X-5 and W230 is 65 and 95 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizes just by checking out technical specs. The picture here will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the X-5 and W230.
As you have seen, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Pentax X-5 to provide more detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more recent X-5 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W230 Specifications
Pentax X-5 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax X-5 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2012-08-22 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 22-580mm (26.4x) | 30-120mm (4.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/2.8-5.8 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 4cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 230k dots | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4s | 1s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1500s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter rate | 10.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 9.10 m | 3.90 m |
Flash settings | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 595 gr (1.31 lb) | 156 gr (0.34 lb) |
Dimensions | 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") | 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 images | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | 4 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch price | $230 | $180 |