Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N
69 Imaging
35 Features
34 Overall
34
![Pentax X90 front Pentax X90 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-X90/Pentax-X90-front.jpg)
![Sony Alpha NEX-5N front Sony Alpha NEX-5N front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-NEX-5N/Sony-NEX-5N-front.jpg)
89 Imaging
57 Features
69 Overall
61
Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
- 428g - 111 x 85 x 110mm
- Launched July 2010
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Released October 2011
- Older Model is Sony NEX-5
- Later Model is Sony NEX-5R
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview
Lets examine more in depth at the Pentax X90 versus Sony NEX-5N, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) and the X90 (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) use different sensor measurements.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
The X90 was revealed 15 months earlier than the NEX-5N which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief summary of how the X90 matches up vs the NEX-5N with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax X90 and Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The full galleries are provided at Pentax X90 Gallery and Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony NEX-5N
X90 | NEX-5N |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Pentax X90
NEX-5N | X90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | October 2011 | ![]() | July 2010 | Fresher by 15 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+690k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony NEX-5N
X90 | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen |
Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Pentax X90 offers exterior measurements of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") along with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax X90 versus Sony NEX-5N in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the X90 and the NEX-5N.
![Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-X90-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-5N-size-comparison.jpg)
Using size and weight, the portability grade of the X90 and NEX-5N is 69 and 89 respectively.
![Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-X90-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-5N-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison
Generally, its difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing purely by going through technical specs. The visual underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the X90 and NEX-5N.
As you have seen, both of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The X90 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Sony NEX-5N will produce extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older X90 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.
![Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Pentax-X90-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-5N-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder
![Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-X90-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-5N-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications
Pentax X90 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax X90 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2010-07-06 | 2011-10-03 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Prime | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4912 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens focal range | 26-676mm (26.0x) | - |
Largest aperture | f/2.8-5.0 | - |
Macro focus range | 1cm | - |
Available lenses | - | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | - | Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | - | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 9.10 m | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 428 grams (0.94 lb) | 269 grams (0.59 lb) |
Dimensions | 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 77 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.7 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 1079 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 460 pictures |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-L106 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC, Internal | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch price | $350 | $550 |