• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-5 advantages over Sony RX100 IV

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 2.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,162 vs 562 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.1 vs 12.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 280 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony RX100 IV advantages over Pentax K-5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/180 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    9 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    16.0 fps vs 6.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.6 fps vs 6.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-5
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens
All K-5 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony RX100 IV
Sony RX100 IV
All RX100 IV Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent high ISO performance, one of the best APS-C sensors yet; 6.5 fps burst mode has very good buffer depths; Weather, dust, and cold resistant; In-body Shake Reduction corrects not only horizontal / vertical, but also rotational motion.

  • Default saturation and contrast a bit high; Auto white balance too warm in tungsten light; Fewer AF points than main competitors; Only a single card slot, and no UHS-I card support (slow buffer clearing).

  • Read our Pentax K-5 Full Review

  • Vastly improved burst speeds with deep buffer; Great performance with very fast autofocus; Very high resolution gives lots of detail in good light; High ISO noise levels much better than most pocket camera rivals; High-quality 4K video with uncompressed HDMI out; Super-fast High Frame Rate video; Same great pocket-friendly design.

  • Pricey for a compact camera; JPEGs can look over-processed at higher ISOs; Lens doesn't offer as much telephoto reach; Battery life not as good as predecessor; 24-70mm-equivalent lens can feel limiting.

  • Read our Sony RX100 IV Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon T3i

Pentax K-5
Canon T3i
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Canon T3i

Sony RX100 IV
Canon T3i
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Canon T3i

Compared to Nikon D5100

Pentax K-5
Nikon D5100
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Top deck display
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Nikon D5100

Sony RX100 IV
Nikon D5100
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Nikon D5100

Compared to Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5
Pentax K-30
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-30

Sony RX100 IV
Pentax K-30
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Pentax K-30

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Pentax K-5
Sony RX100 III
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 IV
Sony RX100 III
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $748
  • 1 inch

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Pentax K-5
Sony RX100 V
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 IV
Sony RX100 V
  • $898
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony RX100 IV vs Sony RX100 V

Compare Other Cameras?