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Pentax X-5 vs Sony W290

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W290 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
  • Introduced August 2012
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Released February 2009
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony W290 Overview

The following is a extended comparison of the Pentax X-5 vs Sony W290, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the X-5 (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The X-5 was announced 3 years after the W290 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summation of how the X-5 matches up vs the W290 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony W290

 X-5 W290 
ReleasedAugust 2012February 2009Newer by 43 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Pentax X-5

 W290 X-5 

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony W290

 X-5 W290 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax X-5 has outer 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) and the Sony W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Pentax X-5 vs Sony W290 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the X-5 compared to the W290.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the X-5 and W290 is 65 and 94 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions only by looking through specs. The picture below should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the X-5 and W290.

All in all, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Pentax X-5 to result in more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more recent X-5 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 Portrait photography information
Sony W290 Portrait photography information
43
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
27
has manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography advice
Sony W290 Street photography advice
50
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
more heavy than competition in class (595g)
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
52
excellent zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography factors
Sony W290 Travel photography factors
53
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (22mm)
long zoom (580mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (595 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
57
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography advice
Sony W290 Landscape photography advice
47
you can focus manually
really wide (22mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
41
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 Vlogging details
Sony W290 Vlogging details
26
really wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (595g)
28
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic support
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony W290
 Pentax X-5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X-5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 22-580mm (26.4x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 230 thousand dots -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.10 m 3.90 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 595g (1.31 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $230 $230