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Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX50

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX50 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 WX50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Released January 2012
Photography Glossary

Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX50 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Pentax X-5 and Sony WX50, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the WX50 (16MP) is relatively similar and they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The X-5 was revealed 7 months later than the WX50 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony WX50 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the X-5 matches up versus the WX50 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony WX50

 X-5 WX50 
ReleasedAugust 2012January 2012Fresher by 7 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony WX50 over the Pentax X-5

 WX50 X-5 
Screen resolution461k460kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony WX50

 X-5 WX50 
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX50 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera often, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax X-5 features physical 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 WX50 has measurements of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax X-5 and Sony WX50 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the X-5 and the WX50.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX50 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the X-5 and WX50 is 65 and 96 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX50 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX50 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to envision the gap between sensor sizing merely by reading specs. The photograph below may give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the X-5 and WX50.

All in all, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same MP therefore you should expect similar quality of photos although you should really factor the production date of the products into consideration. The more modern X-5 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX50 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX50 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax X-5
Portrait photography with Sony WX50
43
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
has face detection focus
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
34
MP count good (16MP)
includes face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography factors
Sony WX50 Street photography factors
50
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
heavier than others in class (595 grams)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography factors
Sony WX50 Sports photography factors
52
great zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
44
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony WX50 as a Travel photography camera
53
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (22mm)
long reach (580mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (595 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition in class (117g)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax X-5
Landscape photography with Sony WX50
47
focusing manually
quite wide (22mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
38
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony WX50 as a Vlogging camera
26
quite wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external mic port
heavier than others in class (595g)
35
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic jack
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony WX50
 Pentax X-5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X-5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-08-22 2012-01-30
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 22-580mm (26.4x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - Clearfoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 230 thousand dot -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m 5.30 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 595 grams (1.31 pounds) 117 grams (0.26 pounds)
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures 240 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $230 $250