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Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX500

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
56
Overall
48

Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX500 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
  • Announced August 2012
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Revealed April 2015
  • Previous Model is Sony WX350
Photography Glossary

Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX500 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX500, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the WX500 (18MP) is pretty similar and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The X-5 was manufactured 3 years earlier than the WX500 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony WX500 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the X-5 scores versus the WX500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony WX500

 X-5 WX500 
Manual focus Very exact focusing

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Pentax X-5

 WX500 X-5 
RevealedApril 2015August 2012Newer by 32 months
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony WX500

 X-5 WX500 
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax X-5 enjoys outer dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") along with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) whilst the Sony WX500 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") and a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Look at the Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX500 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the X-5 versus the WX500.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the X-5 and WX500 is 65 and 91 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to see the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reading technical specs. The picture here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the X-5 and WX500.

As you have seen, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Sony WX500 to offer you greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged X-5 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 Portrait photography information
Sony WX500 Portrait photography information
43
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
offers face detect focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
39
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
supports face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography info
Sony WX500 Street photography info
50
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than competition in class (595 grams)
69
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (236g)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax X-5
Sports photography with Sony WX500
52
incredible zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
offers tracking focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
57
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
supports tracking focus
good battery (360 shots)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography details
Sony WX500 Travel photography details
53
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (22mm)
long reach (580mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (595g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
71
good battery (360 shots)
lighter than competition in class (236 grams)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography factors
Sony WX500 Landscape photography factors
47
manual focus
quite wide (22mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
49
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
good battery (360 per charge)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 Vlogging information
Sony WX500 Vlogging information
26
quite wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
no mic support
heavier than competition in class (595 grams)
35
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (236 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic port
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony WX500
 Pentax X-5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X-5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-08-22 2015-04-14
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
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 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 22-580mm (26.4x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 230k dot -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes - Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
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 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
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 gr (1.31 lbs) 236 gr (0.52 lbs)
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
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 photographs 360 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $230 $348