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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A57

Portability
65
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A57 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
  • Revealed August 2012
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Released September 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony A55
  • Successor is Sony A58
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A57 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Pentax X-5 vs Sony A57, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the A57 (16MP) is very well matched but the X-5 (1/2.3") and A57 (APS-C) possess different sensor dimensions.

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The X-5 was announced within a month of the A57 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the X-5 scores vs the A57 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony A57

 X-5 A57 

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Pentax X-5

 A57 X-5 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony A57

 X-5 A57 
ReleasedAugust 2012September 2012Similar age
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax X-5 comes with physical measurements of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") along with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Sony A57 has proportions of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

See the Pentax X-5 vs Sony A57 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is the front view size comparison of the X-5 and the A57.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the X-5 and A57 is 65 and 64 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements merely by checking specifications. The photograph below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the X-5 and A57.

To sum up, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels but different sensor measurements. The X-5 includes the tinier sensor which should make getting bokeh more challenging.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 Portrait photography info
Sony A57 Portrait photography info
44
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
74
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography features
Sony A57 Street photography features
50
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
heavier than average in class (595 grams)
75
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography information
Sony A57 Sports photography information
53
long zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
78
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography information
Sony A57 Travel photography information
54
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (22mm)
very long zoom (580mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (595 grams)
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
67
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
no Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography info
Sony A57 Landscape photography info
47
has manual focus
really wide (22mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse function
72
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A57 as a Vlogging camera
27
really wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no mic jack
heavier than average in class (595g)
77
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone jack
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony A57
 Pentax X-5Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X-5 Sony SLT-A57
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2012-08-22 2012-09-13
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 16000
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 22-580mm (26.4x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 230 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 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 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595 grams (1.31 lb) 618 grams (1.36 lb)
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 75
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 785
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 550 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $230 $1,000