Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A55
66 Imaging
40 Features
37 Overall
38
67 Imaging
56 Features
80 Overall
65
Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A55 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed July 2014
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
- Introduced August 2010
- Updated by Sony A57
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Let's look a bit more closely at the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A55, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the A55 (16MP) is pretty similar but the XG-1 (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor size.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe XG-1 was revealed 3 years after the A55 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the XG-1 scores against the A55 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Photography Glossary Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A55 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax XG-1 and Sony SLT-A55. The full galleries are provided at Pentax XG-1 Gallery and Sony A55 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony A55
| XG-1 | A55 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | July 2014 |  | August 2010 | Newer by 48 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Pentax XG-1
| A55 | XG-1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fully Articulated |  | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
| Screen resolution | 921k |  | 460k | Crisper screen (+461k dot) |
| Selfie screen |  | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony A55
| XG-1 | A55 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | Dial accurate focus | ||
| Screen sizing | 3" |  | 3" | Equivalent screen size |
| Touch screen |  | Lacking Touch screen |
Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax XG-1 provides outer dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) whilst the Sony A55 has proportions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).
Contrast the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A55 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the XG-1 compared to the A55.
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the XG-1 and A55 is 66 and 67 respectively.
Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be hard to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reading specifications. The pic underneath may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the XG-1 and A55.
Plainly, both cameras enjoy the same exact megapixel count albeit different sensor dimensions. The XG-1 has the tinier sensor which will make getting shallower DOF more challenging. The younger XG-1 provides an advantage in sensor technology.
Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A55 Specifications
| Pentax XG-1 | Sony SLT-A55 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax XG-1 | Sony SLT-A55 |
| Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Revealed | 2014-07-15 | 2010-08-24 |
| Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16MP | 16MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4912 x 3264 |
| Highest native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
| Highest enhanced ISO | - | 25600 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 15 |
| Cross focus points | - | 3 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Lens focal range | 24-1248mm (52.0x) | - |
| Highest aperture | f/2.8-5.6 | - |
| Macro focus range | 1cm | - |
| Total lenses | - | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
| Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | 200 thousand dots | 1,150 thousand dots |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.73x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shutter rate | 9.0 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 6.00 m | 10.00 m (@ ISO 100) |
| Flash modes | Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| 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, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
| 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 | BuiltIn |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 567g (1.25 lb) | 500g (1.10 lb) |
| Dimensions | 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") | 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | not tested | 73 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 23.0 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.4 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 816 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 240 pictures | 380 pictures |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | LB-060 | NP-FW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Cost at release | $599 | $800 |