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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A37

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony SLT-A37 front
Portability
67
Imaging
57
Features
65
Overall
60

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A37 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
  • Launched August 2012
Sony A37
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.6" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 506g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Revealed May 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony A35
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A37 Overview

Below, we are matching up the Pentax X-5 versus Sony A37, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the A37 (16MP) is very similar but the X-5 (1/2.3") and A37 (APS-C) come with different sensor sizing.

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The X-5 was launched 4 months after the A37 which means that they are of a similar generation. The two cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A37 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the X-5 matches up versus the A37 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony A37

 X-5 A37 
Display dimension3"2.6"Larger display (+0.4")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Pentax X-5

 A37 X-5 

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony A37

 X-5 A37 
RevealedAugust 2012May 2012Similar generation
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax X-5 provides physical measurements of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") and a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) whilst the Sony A37 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax X-5 versus Sony A37 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the X-5 against the A37.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A37 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X-5 and A37 is 65 and 67 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A37 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions merely by going over technical specs. The pic underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the X-5 and A37.

As you have seen, the two cameras have got the exact same megapixels but different sensor dimensions. The X-5 has the tinier sensor which will make achieving shallower DOF more challenging.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A37 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A37 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax X-5
Portrait photography with Sony A37
43
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Street photography camera
Sony A37 as a Street photography camera
50
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
heavier than average in class (595g)
77
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography highlights
Sony A37 Sports photography highlights
52
long zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow fps (6.0 fps)
bad battery power (500 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A37 as a Travel photography camera
53
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (22mm)
long zoom (580mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (595g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
54
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery power (500 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography information
Sony A37 Landscape photography information
47
you can focus manually
fairly wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
64
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.6 inch)
bad battery power (500 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 Vlogging information
Sony A37 Vlogging information
26
fairly wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no external mic support
heavier than average in class (595g)
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic support
screen is not selfie friendly
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A37 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony A37
 Pentax X-5Sony SLT-A37
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X-5 Sony SLT-A37
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2012-08-22 2012-05-16
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 22-580mm (26.4x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3" 2.6"
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 230k dots 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 12.00 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595g (1.31 lbs) 506g (1.12 lbs)
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 75
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 799
Other
Battery life 330 shots 500 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $230 $522