Pentax XG-1 vs Sony a5000

Below, we will be looking at the Pentax XG-1 versus Sony a5000, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the a5000 (20MP) is relatively close but the XG-1 (1/2.3") and a5000 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor size.

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The XG-1 was manufactured 7 months after the a5000 and they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony a5000 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick overview of how the XG-1 scores vs the a5000 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax XG-1 and Sony Alpha a5000. The entire galleries are provided at Pentax XG-1 Gallery and Sony a5000 Gallery.

For those who are planning to travel with your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax XG-1 has external measurements of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") along with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) and the Sony a5000 has specifications of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check out the Pentax XG-1 versus Sony a5000 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the XG-1 vs the a5000.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the XG-1 and a5000 is 66 and 89 respectively.

Normally, it's hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions just by researching technical specs. The picture here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the XG-1 and a5000.

As you can tell, both the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The XG-1 featuring a smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Sony a5000 will result in greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs much more aggressively. The fresher XG-1 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.