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Pentax X-5 vs Sony W230

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W230 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 W230
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony W230

 X-5 W230 
AnnouncedAugust 2012February 2009More modern by 43 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution460k230kClearer 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 sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W230 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W230 as a Portrait photography camera
43
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
27
manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography highlights
Sony W230 Street photography highlights
50
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than competition in class (595g)
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W230 as a Sports photography camera
52
excellent zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography highlights
Sony W230 Travel photography highlights
53
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (22mm)
great zoom (580mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (595g)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography details
Sony W230 Landscape photography details
47
manual focus
really wide (22mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
36
manual focus
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W230 as a Vlogging camera
26
really wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic jack
heavier than competition in class (595g)
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have mic socket
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony W230
 Pentax X-5Sony 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