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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A99

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
70
Features
88
Overall
77

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A99 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
  • Launched July 2014
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Launched December 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A900
  • New Model is Sony A99 II
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A99 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Pentax XG-1 and Sony A99, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the XG-1 (16MP) and A99 (24MP) and the XG-1 (1/2.3") and A99 (Full frame) boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The XG-1 was introduced 20 months later than the A99 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A99 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summation of how the XG-1 grades vs the A99 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony A99

 XG-1 A99 
LaunchedJuly 2014December 2012Fresher by 20 months

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Pentax XG-1

 A99 XG-1 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1229k460kCrisper screen (+769k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony A99

 XG-1 A99 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax XG-1 enjoys outside dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") and a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) whilst the Sony A99 has measurements of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax XG-1 and Sony A99 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the XG-1 versus the A99.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A99 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the XG-1 and A99 is 66 and 57 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizing merely by checking out specifications. The graphic here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the XG-1 and A99.

To sum up, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The XG-1 having a smaller sensor will make getting bokeh trickier and the Sony A99 will show more detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The fresher XG-1 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax XG-1
Portrait photography with Sony A99
40
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
82
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax XG-1
Street photography with Sony A99
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
heavier than competition in class (567g)
75
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
great ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Sports photography advice
Sony A99 Sports photography advice
45
amazing zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (240 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
78
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery life (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography highlights
Sony A99 Travel photography highlights
52
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (1248mm)
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery life (240 per charge)
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
environment proof
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery life (500 shots)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography factors
Sony A99 Landscape photography factors
45
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery life (240 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
75
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
2 card slots
not so great battery life (500 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax XG-1
Vlogging with Sony A99
25
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external mic port
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
76
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone support
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony A99
 Pentax XG-1Sony SLT-A99
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax XG-1 Sony SLT-A99
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2014-07-15 2012-12-12
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 19
Cross focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 24-1248mm (52.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.6 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 9.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options 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
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/250s
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
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 lbs) 812g (1.79 lbs)
Physical dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 89
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1555
Other
Battery life 240 photographs 500 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LB-060 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Card slots 1 2
Retail pricing $599 $1,998