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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A58

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony SLT-A58 front
Portability
68
Imaging
62
Features
72
Overall
66

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A58 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 A58
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 492g - 129 x 95 x 78mm
  • Released November 2013
  • Succeeded the Sony A57
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A58 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Pentax X-5 vs Sony A58, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the A58 (20MP) is pretty close but the X-5 (1/2.3") and A58 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The X-5 was launched 15 months before the A58 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A58 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick overview of how the X-5 matches up versus the A58 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony A58

 X-5 A58 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A58 over the Pentax X-5

 A58 X-5 
ReleasedNovember 2013August 2012More modern by 15 months

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony A58

 X-5 A58 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A58 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax X-5 enjoys external 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 A58 has sizing of 129mm x 95mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 3.1") along with a weight of 492 grams (1.08 lbs).

Check the Pentax X-5 vs Sony A58 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the X-5 compared to the A58.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A58 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the X-5 and A58 is 65 and 68 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A58 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A58 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizes just by researching specs. The picture below might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the X-5 and A58.

As you can plainly see, both cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The X-5 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh trickier and the Sony A58 will result in extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged X-5 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A58 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A58 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony A58 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 Portrait photography information
Sony A58 Portrait photography information
43
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
77
focusing manually
decent MP (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography information
Sony A58 Street photography information
50
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
heavier than competition (595g)
78
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography factors
Sony A58 Sports photography factors
52
great zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
81
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (690 CIPA)
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography info
Sony A58 Travel photography info
53
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (22mm)
great reach (580mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (595g)
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
63
better than average battery life (690 CIPA)
decent MP (20MP)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax X-5
Landscape photography with Sony A58
47
you can focus manually
relatively wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
70
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (690 CIPA)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A58 as a Vlogging camera
26
relatively wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly display
no external mic support
heavier than competition (595 grams)
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone support
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony A58 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony A58
 Pentax X-5Sony SLT-A58
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X-5 Sony SLT-A58
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2012-08-22 2013-11-27
Physical type 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 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 5456 x 3632
Highest native ISO 6400 16000
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 22-580mm (26.4x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.6
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 230k dots 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.65x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 595g (1.31 lb) 492g (1.08 lb)
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 129 x 95 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 74
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.5
DXO Low light score not tested 753
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 690 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $230 $645