Pentax X70 vs Sony NEX-5

Its time to look more closely at the Pentax X70 and Sony NEX-5, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the X70 (12MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the X70 (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The X70 was introduced 15 months earlier than the NEX-5 making them a generation away from one another. Both cameras have different body design with the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief summation of how the X70 matches up versus the NEX-5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax X70 & Sony Alpha NEX-5. The whole galleries are available at Pentax X70 Gallery & Sony NEX-5 Gallery.

When you are aiming to carry around your camera, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Pentax X70 enjoys external dimensions of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") having a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5 has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Check the Pentax X70 and Sony NEX-5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the X70 vs the NEX-5.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the X70 and NEX-5 is 71 and 89 respectively.

More often than not, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes purely by checking specs. The image here might offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the X70 and NEX-5.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The X70 having a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony NEX-5 will give you greater detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged X70 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.