Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A450

Let's take a more detailed look at the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A450, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the A450 (14MP) is fairly comparable but the XG-1 (1/2.3") and A450 (APS-C) provide different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The XG-1 was manufactured 4 years later than the A450 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A450 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple overview of how the XG-1 matches up vs the A450 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax XG-1 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A450. The entire galleries are viewable at Pentax XG-1 Gallery and Sony A450 Gallery.

If you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax XG-1 provides exterior dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") along with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) while the Sony A450 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.2") having a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs).

Look at the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A450 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the XG-1 versus the A450.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the XG-1 and A450 is 66 and 65 respectively.

Sometimes, it is very hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizing just by going through technical specs. The photograph below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the XG-1 and A450.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The XG-1 because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Pentax XG-1 will show extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The newer XG-1 provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.