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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A65

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony SLT-A65 front
Portability
64
Imaging
63
Features
85
Overall
71

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A65 Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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 A65
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 622g - 132 x 97 x 81mm
  • Released November 2011
  • Updated by Sony A68
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A65 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A65, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the sensor resolutions of the XG-1 (16MP) and A65 (24MP) and the XG-1 (1/2.3") and A65 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The XG-1 was manufactured 2 years after the A65 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A65 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting right into a full comparison, here is a concise summary of how the XG-1 grades against the A65 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony A65

 XG-1 A65 
ReleasedJuly 2014November 2011Newer by 33 months

Reasons to pick Sony A65 over the Pentax XG-1

 A65 XG-1 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony A65

 XG-1 A65 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A65 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax XG-1 provides outside dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) and the Sony A65 has specifications of 132mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 622 grams (1.37 lbs).

Compare the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A65 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. The following is a front view scale comparison of the XG-1 against the A65.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A65 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the XG-1 and A65 is 66 and 64 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A65 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A65 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to envision the gap in sensor dimensions purely by viewing a spec sheet. The image here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the XG-1 and A65.

As you can see, both of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The XG-1 featuring a smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A65 will provide you with extra detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures more aggressively. The more recent XG-1 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A65 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A65 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A65 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax XG-1
Portrait photography with Sony A65
40
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
77
manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Street photography info
Sony A65 Street photography info
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than competitors in class (567g)
77
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Sports photography factors
Sony A65 Sports photography factors
45
incredible zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (240 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
81
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking focus
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography info
Sony A65 Travel photography info
52
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (1248mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (240 per charge)
heavier than competitors in class (567 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
68
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
no Timelapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography features
Sony A65 Landscape photography features
45
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery pack (240 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
75
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Vlogging details
Sony A65 Vlogging details
25
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of external mic port
heavier than competitors in class (567g)
78
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone support
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A65 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony A65
 Pentax XG-1Sony SLT-A65
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax XG-1 Sony SLT-A65
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2014-07-15 2011-11-15
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-1248mm (52.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.6 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 200k dots 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 10.00 m
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
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160s
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, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 567g (1.25 lbs) 622g (1.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 132 x 97 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 74
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 717
Other
Battery life 240 photographs 560 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LB-060 NP-FM500H
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
Retail cost $599 $700