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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
66
Imaging
41
Features
37
Overall
39
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-5 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
  • Announced July 2014
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5N
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

Here is a complete assessment of the Pentax XG-1 and Sony NEX-5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is fairly similar but the XG-1 (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The XG-1 was revealed 4 years later than the NEX-5 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short summary of how the XG-1 scores versus the NEX-5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony NEX-5

 XG-1 NEX-5 
RevealedJuly 2014June 2010Fresher by 50 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Pentax XG-1

 NEX-5 XG-1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony NEX-5

 XG-1 NEX-5 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax XG-1 has got outside dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") having a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5 has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

See the Pentax XG-1 and Sony NEX-5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the XG-1 against the NEX-5.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the XG-1 and NEX-5 is 66 and 89 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reading technical specs. The visual here may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the XG-1 and NEX-5.

As you have seen, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The XG-1 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax XG-1 will offer greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The younger XG-1 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography advice
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography advice
40
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
72
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax XG-1
Street photography with Sony NEX-5
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than others in class (567g)
76
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax XG-1
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5
45
long zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (240 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
52
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography factors
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography factors
52
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long reach (1248mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery (240 per charge)
more heavy than others in class (567 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
59
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography details
Sony NEX-5 Landscape photography details
45
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
not so great battery (240 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
68
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3")
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax XG-1
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5
25
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone jack
more heavy than others in class (567g)
28
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no microphone support
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony NEX-5
 Pentax XG-1Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax XG-1 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2014-07-15 2010-06-07
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 24-1248mm (52.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.6 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200k dots -
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 9.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 12.00 m
Flash options Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 567g (1.25 lbs) 287g (0.63 lbs)
Dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 69
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 796
Other
Battery life 240 images 330 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LB-060 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $599 $599