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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX5

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
29
Overall
32

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX5 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
Sony WX5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 146g - 92 x 52 x 22mm
  • Released July 2010
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX5 Overview

Following is a in-depth review of the Pentax XG-1 and Sony WX5, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the XG-1 (16MP) and WX5 (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The XG-1 was announced 4 years after the WX5 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony WX5 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a simple summation of how the XG-1 grades against the WX5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony WX5

 XG-1 WX5 
ReleasedJuly 2014July 2010More modern by 49 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display sizing3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony WX5 over the Pentax XG-1

 WX5 XG-1 
Display resolution461k460kClearer display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony WX5

 XG-1 WX5 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX5 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax XG-1 has got outer 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 WX5 has dimensions of 92mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9") having a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs).

Compare the Pentax XG-1 and Sony WX5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the XG-1 vs the WX5.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the XG-1 and WX5 is 66 and 95 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX5 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to see the difference between sensor sizes purely by looking at specs. The image underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the XG-1 and WX5.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Pentax XG-1 to resolve greater detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The more recent XG-1 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX5 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography advice
Sony WX5 Portrait photography advice
40
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
21
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Street photography details
Sony WX5 Street photography details
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
more heavy than average in class (567g)
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Sports photography factors
Sony WX5 Sports photography factors
45
incredible zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (240 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography advice
Sony WX5 Travel photography advice
52
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (1248mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery pack (240 shots)
more heavy than average in class (567 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
58
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony WX5 as a Landscape photography camera
45
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
bad battery pack (240 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
37
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (2.8")
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
no manual control
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Vlogging features
Sony WX5 Vlogging features
25
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone jack
more heavy than average in class (567g)
32
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic socket
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony WX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony WX5
 Pentax XG-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax XG-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-07-15 2010-07-08
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1248mm (52.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.6 f/2.4-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.8 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200k dots -
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.00 m 5.10 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
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
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 (50 fps), 1440 x 1080 (50, 25fps), 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 567 grams (1.25 lbs) 146 grams (0.32 lbs)
Dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 92 x 52 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 240 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model LB-060 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC/ SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $599 $250