• 1/2.4 inch 27.1mm2
  • 9.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony DSC-HX1 advantages over Pentax K-5

  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 6.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax K-5 advantages over Sony DSC-HX1

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.4 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 1.71 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 2.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 390 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.31 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.3 vs 9.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    31 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Sony DSC-HX1

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

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P90

Sony DSC-HX1
Nikon P90
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Nikon P90

Pentax K-5
Nikon P90
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Nikon P90

Compared to Canon SX1 IS

Sony DSC-HX1
Canon SX1 IS
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Canon SX1 IS

Pentax K-5
Canon SX1 IS
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher max flash sync

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Canon SX1 IS

Compared to Nikon P100

Sony DSC-HX1
Nikon P100
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Nikon P100

Pentax K-5
Nikon P100
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Nikon P100

Compared to Canon T3i

Sony DSC-HX1
Canon T3i
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs 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

Compared to Nikon D5100

Sony DSC-HX1
Nikon D5100
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs 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

Compare Other Cameras?