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Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX5

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Samsung NX5 front
Portability
80
Imaging
55
Features
50
Overall
53

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX5 Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Introduced July 2014
Samsung NX5
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 499g - 123 x 87 x 40mm
  • Introduced June 2010
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Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX5 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Pentax XG-1 and Samsung NX5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Samsung. The resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the NX5 (15MP) is pretty close but the XG-1 (1/2.3") and NX5 (APS-C) offer different sensor measurements.

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The XG-1 was launched 4 years later than the NX5 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung NX5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the XG-1 matches up against the NX5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Samsung NX5

 XG-1 NX5 
IntroducedJuly 2014June 2010More recent by 51 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung NX5 over the Pentax XG-1

 NX5 XG-1 

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Samsung NX5

 XG-1 NX5 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX5 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax XG-1 provides outer dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") and a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) while the Samsung NX5 has sizing of 123mm x 87mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") having a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Compare the Pentax XG-1 and Samsung NX5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the XG-1 against the NX5.

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the XG-1 and NX5 is 66 and 80 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX5 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements merely by researching specs. The visual here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the XG-1 and NX5.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The XG-1 due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field tougher and the Pentax XG-1 will render greater detail utilizing its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more modern XG-1 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX5 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography details
Samsung NX5 Portrait photography details
40
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
73
you can focus manually
MP count decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Street photography highlights
Samsung NX5 Street photography highlights
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
heavier than competition (567g)
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition (499g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax XG-1
Sports photography with Samsung NX5
45
amazing zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (240 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
52
MP count decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery life (400 shots)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography info
Samsung NX5 Travel photography info
52
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (1248mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
terrible battery life (240 CIPA)
heavier than competition (567g)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
63
good battery life (400 per charge)
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (499 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography information
Samsung NX5 Landscape photography information
45
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
terrible battery life (240 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse function
68
you can focus manually
change lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (400 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Vlogging features
Samsung NX5 Vlogging features
25
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic port
heavier than competition (567g)
24
supports face detect focus
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic jack
heavier than competition (499 grams)
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Pentax XG-1 vs Samsung NX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Samsung NX5
 Pentax XG-1Samsung NX5
General Information
Company Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax XG-1 Samsung NX5
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2014-07-15 2010-06-01
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - DRIM Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 15MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 15
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Samsung NX
Lens zoom range 24-1248mm (52.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.6 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 32
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - Active Matrix OLED screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 200k dot -
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 9.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 11.00 m
Flash settings Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 secs
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), 640 x 480 (120 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 567 gr (1.25 pounds) 499 gr (1.10 pounds)
Physical dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 123 x 87 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 240 images 400 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LB-060 BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 sec to 30 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $599 $499