Pentax K-x vs Sony DSC-HX9V

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Pentax K-x vs Sony DSC-HX9V

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APS-C 369.7mm²
12.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-x Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-x.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
16.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 384.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony DSC-HX9V Review.
See real-world photos taken with the DSC-HX9V.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-r
Compare K-x vs K-r

Succeeded by the Sony HX20V
Compare DSC-HX9V vs HX20V

Compare PENTAX K-R vs SONY HX20V

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Differences

Pentax K-x advantages over Sony DSC-HX9V

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 5.53 vs 1.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Fast startup
~0.60 vs 2.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

420 vs 300 shots
Capture more photos
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
25 vs 10 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/1600 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony DSC-HX9V advantages over Pentax K-x

Less expensive
$350 vs $650 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Thinner
33 mm vs 69 mm
Thinner
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
922k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
16.2 vs 12.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 4.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Pentax K-x

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Buy the Sony DSC-HX9V

Review Excerpt

Read our Pentax K-x Full Review

Excellent optical quality; High resolution; High-resolution Panorama mode; Good video quality; Good grip; Fast autofocus.
Sluggish user interface and Full HD video mode; Heavy noise suppression; GPS is sometimes slow to sync.
Read our Sony DSC-HX9V Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-x

Sony DSLR-A380

$702
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$849
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K-x vs Sony DSLR-A380

Sony DSC-HX9V

Sony DSLR-A380

$329
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Pentax K-7

Pentax K-x

Pentax K-7

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$1300
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-7

Sony DSC-HX9V

Pentax K-7

$329
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Pentax K-r

Pentax K-x

Pentax K-r

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$850
APS-C

Fast startup
External Mic Jack

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-r

Sony DSC-HX9V

Pentax K-r

$329
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

$850
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Pentax K-r

Compared to Sony HX10V

Pentax K-x

Sony HX10V

$702
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$375
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Pentax K-x vs Sony HX10V

Sony DSC-HX9V

Sony HX10V

$329
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Manual focus

$375
1/2.3 inch

Higher extended ISO

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Sony HX10V

Compared to Sony H90

Pentax K-x

Sony H90

$702
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$223
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Pentax K-x vs Sony H90

Sony DSC-HX9V

Sony H90

$329
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Manual focus

$223
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Sony H90

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