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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-5N 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
  • Launched July 2014
Sony NEX-5N
(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
  • Introduced October 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-5R
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Pentax XG-1 and Sony NEX-5N, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is relatively well matched but the XG-1 (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) posses totally different sensor size.

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The XG-1 was released 2 years later than the NEX-5N and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the XG-1 matches up against the NEX-5N in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

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

 XG-1 NEX-5N 
IntroducedJuly 2014October 2011More recent by 34 months

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

 NEX-5N XG-1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

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

 XG-1 NEX-5N 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax XG-1 enjoys physical measurements of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") having a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

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

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the XG-1 versus the NEX-5N.

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

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

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

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to see the difference between sensor measurements merely by looking at technical specs. The visual below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the XG-1 and NEX-5N.

As you have seen, both the cameras have the same resolution albeit not the same sensor measurements. The XG-1 features the tinier sensor which should make getting shallower DOF trickier. The fresher XG-1 will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography factors
40
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
73
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Street photography info
Sony NEX-5N Street photography info
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than competition in class (567g)
80
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
has touch focus
above average ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Sports photography details
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography details
45
great zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (240 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
58
decent MP (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery pack (460 per charge)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography advice
52
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (1248mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (240 per charge)
heavier than competition in class (567g)
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
good battery pack (460 per charge)
has touch focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography details
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography details
45
has manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
terrible battery life (240 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
71
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
decent MP (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (460 shots)
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Vlogging advice
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging advice
25
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have mic support
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
33
has touchscreen
supports face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing microphone socket
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony NEX-5N
 Pentax XG-1Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax XG-1 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2014-07-15 2011-10-03
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 surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 24-1248mm (52.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.6 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 200k dots -
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 9.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 567g (1.25 lbs) 269g (0.59 lbs)
Physical 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 77
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1079
Other
Battery life 240 photographs 460 photographs
Battery type 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 feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $599 $550