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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A55

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A55 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
  • Revealed July 2014
Sony A55
(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
Photography Glossary

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A55 Overview

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.

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony A55

 XG-1 A55 
IntroducedJuly 2014August 2010Newer by 48 months

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Pentax XG-1

 A55 XG-1 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper 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 sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A55 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax XG-1
Portrait photography with Sony A55
40
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
73
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Street photography advice
Sony A55 Street photography advice
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
heavier than competitors (567 grams)
77
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Sports photography details
Sony A55 Sports photography details
45
great zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery (240 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
terrible battery life (380 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax XG-1
Travel photography with Sony A55
52
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (1248mm)
no Time Lapse recording
low battery (240 per charge)
heavier than competitors (567 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
62
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (380 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax XG-1
Landscape photography with Sony A55
45
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery (240 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
67
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
terrible battery life (380 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A55 as a Vlogging camera
25
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic jack
heavier than competitors (567g)
78
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic socket
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony A55
 Pentax XG-1Sony 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