Pentax X-5 vs Sony W550
65 Imaging
39 Features
50 Overall
43
96 Imaging
37 Features
28 Overall
33
Pentax X-5 vs Sony W550 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed August 2012
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
- 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
- Launched July 2011
Photography Glossary Pentax X-5 vs Sony W550 Overview
Here is a detailed overview of the Pentax X-5 and Sony W550, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by companies Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the W550 (14MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe X-5 was launched 14 months later than the W550 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the X-5 grades vs the W550 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax X-5 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550. The complete galleries are provided at Pentax X-5 Gallery & Sony W550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony W550
| X-5 | W550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | August 2012 | July 2011 | Fresher by 14 months | |
| Manually focus | Very precise focusing | |||
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen | |
| Screen resolution | 460k | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Pentax X-5
| W550 | X-5 |
|---|
Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony W550
| X-5 | W550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal screen size | |
| Selfie screen | Neither comes with selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Missing Touch screen |
Pentax X-5 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax X-5 comes with outer measurements 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 W550 has proportions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).
Check out the Pentax X-5 and Sony W550 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use at that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the X-5 compared to the W550.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the X-5 and W550 is 65 and 96 respectively.
Pentax X-5 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing simply by checking technical specs. The photograph below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the X-5 and W550.
As you have seen, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Pentax X-5 to give you more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The fresher X-5 provides an edge in sensor technology.
Pentax X-5 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony W550 Specifications
| Pentax X-5 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Pentax | Sony |
| Model type | Pentax X-5 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 |
| Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Ultracompact |
| Revealed | 2012-08-22 | 2011-07-24 |
| Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | Ultracompact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | - | BIONZ |
| 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 | 14 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
| Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 22-580mm (26.4x) | 26-104mm (4.0x) |
| Maximal aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/2.7-5.7 |
| Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
| Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 460k dot | 230k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Display technology | - | Clear Photo LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
| Viewfinder resolution | 230k dot | - |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 2 secs |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/1500 secs | 1/1600 secs |
| Continuous shooting speed | 10.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 9.10 m | 3.80 m |
| Flash options | - | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| 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) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| 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 | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 595 grams (1.31 pounds) | 110 grams (0.24 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") | 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around 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 form | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery ID | 4 x AA | NP-BN1 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | Single | - |
| Retail price | $230 | $119 |