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Pentax X-5 vs Sony W550

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W550 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
  • Revealed August 2012
Sony W550
(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
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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").

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The 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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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony W550

 X-5 W550 
LaunchedAugust 2012July 2011Fresher by 14 months
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper 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 dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W550 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the X-5 and W550 is 65 and 96 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 Portrait photography highlights
Sony W550 Portrait photography highlights
43
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
28
resolution is good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax X-5
Street photography with Sony W550
50
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competition (595 grams)
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography features
Sony W550 Sports photography features
52
long zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography factors
Sony W550 Travel photography factors
53
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (22mm)
long reach (580mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (595 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
65
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax X-5
Landscape photography with Sony W550
47
has manual focus
pretty wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
42
decently wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax X-5
Vlogging with Sony W550
26
pretty wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
no external mic socket
heavier than competition (595 grams)
29
decently wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony W550
 Pentax X-5Sony 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