Sony NEX-5 vs Pentax K10D

      Sony NEX-5

      Pentax K10D
      60
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      60
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony NEX-5 and the Pentax K10D, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Sony NEX-5 was introduced in June 2010 and Pentax K10D was introduced in December 2006. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Sony NEX-5 Highlights

      • 14 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 200 - 12,800 Native ISO
      • 25 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 920k dot Tilting Screen
      • Optical (Optional FDA-SV1) Viewfinder
      • 7.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit

      Pentax K10D Highlights

      • 10.2 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.5" 210k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      • Wheather Sealed Body
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Sony NEX-5
      4. Advantage of Pentax K10D
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Sony NEX-5 and Pentax K10D.

      PROS

      Sony NEX-5

      Pentax K10D

      •   Video Capture
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 287 g (0.63 lb / 10.12 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Sony NEX-5

      Pentax K10D

      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.2 Megapixel
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Sony NEX-5

      Pentax K10D

      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 69
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 66
      •   Weight - 793 g (1.75 lb / 27.97 oz)

      Advantage of Sony NEX-5

      Sony NEX-5
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony NEX-5 over Pentax K10D.

      Sony NEX-5 vs Pentax K10D
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 14 Megapixel vs 10.2 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 12,800 vs 1,600
      Max Image Resolution 4592 x 3056 vs 3872 x 2592
      More Focus Points 25 vs 11
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Screen Type Tilting vs Fixed
      Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.5"
      Higher Resolution Screen 920k dot vs 210k dot
      Live View vs
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 100% vs 95%
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 7.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 796 vs 522
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 12.2 vs 11.6
      Higher DxO Overall Score 69 vs 66
      HDMI Output Mini Type C vs
      Speaker Mono vs
      Built-in Microphone Stereo vs
      Lighter 287 g (0.63 lb / 10.12 oz) vs 793 g (1.75 lb / 27.97 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony NEX-5.

      Sony NEX-C3
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      APS-C

      16 MP

      Sony NEX-6
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-5N
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-5R
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-3N
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-F3
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-5T
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony NEX-7
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Sony NEX-3
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      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Nikon D500
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      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Nikon D5200
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      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Sony a9 II
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Advantage of Pentax K10D

      Pentax K10D
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax K10D over Sony NEX-5.

      Sony NEX-5 vs Pentax K10D
      Lower Native ISO 200 vs 100
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Image Stabilization vs Sensor Shift
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Built-in Flash vs
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/160 sec vs 1/180 sec
      Average Metering vs
      Higher DxO Color Depth 22.2 vs 22.7
      Environmental Sealing vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Pentax K10D.

      Pentax K20D
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      APS-C

      14.6 MP

      Canon 7D II
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      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A230
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Nikon Z8
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Canon Rebel SL1
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      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Canon 70D
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      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Sony a6300
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon Rebel T5
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      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Nikon D1
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      APS-C

      2.66 MP

      Canon 5DS R
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Fujifilm X-S20
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      APS-C

      26.1 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Sony NEX-5 Pentax K10D
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Sony NEX-5 Pentax K10D
        Low Resolution Sensor14 Megapixel10.2 Megapixel
        Timelapse Recording
        No Face Detection
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Sony NEX-5 has a 3.0" Tilting screen with 920k dot resolution and Pentax K10D has a 2.5" Fixed screen with 210k dot resolution. Tilting screen makes Sony NEX-5 very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting.


      Viewfinder

      Sony NEX-5 has a built-in Optical (Optional FDA-SV1) viewfinderPentax K10D has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. Sony NEX-5 has 100% coverage magnification and Pentax K10D has 95% coverage with 0.95x (0.63x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

      Sensor

      Sony NEX-5 features a 14 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.4 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 365 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 12,800. Pentax K10D features a 10.2 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.7 mm and a total area of 246.5 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Sony NEX-5 is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 4592 x 3056 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4592 x 2576, 3344 x 2224, 3344 x 1872, 2288 x 1520, 2288 x 1280 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Pentax K10D can take pictures up to 3872 x 2592 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3008 x 2000, 1824 x 1216 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Sony NEX-5 has Sony E lens mount and Pentax K10D has Pentax KAF2 lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


      In-Body Image Stabilization on Pentax K10D

      Pentax K10D has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Sony NEX-5 comes with NPFW50 battery pack with battery life of 330 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Sony NEX-5 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot. Pentax K10D has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Pentax K10D has Electronically controlled Vertical Run Focal Plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Sony NEX-5, and up to 1/4000 sec on Pentax K10D. Sony NEX-5 can shoot continuously up to 7.0 fps. Pentax K10D can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.


      Flash

      Pentax K10D has a built-in flash and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. Sony NEX-5 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Smart accessory Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Sony NEX-5 and 1/180 sec on Pentax K10D.

      Physical Parameters

      Sony NEX-5 body has dimensions of 111 x 59 x 38 mm (4.37 x 2.32 x 1.5") and Pentax K10D body has dimensions of 142 x 101 x 70 mm (5.59 x 3.98 x 2.76"). Sony NEX-5 weighs 287 g (0.63 lb / 10.12 oz) and Pentax K10D weighs 793 g (1.75 lb / 27.97 oz).

      Sony NEX-5

      Pentax K10D

      111 mm

      59 mm

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      142 mm

      101 mm

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      59 mm

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      101 mm

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      38 mm

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      70 mm

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      Size comparisons of Sony NEX-5 and Pentax K10D

      Sony NEX-5 and Pentax K10D for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Sony NEX-5

      Pentax K10D

      GOOD
      70
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      76
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Sony NEX-5

      Pentax K10D

      AVERAGE
      59
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      61
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Sony NEX-5

      Pentax K10D

      AVERAGE
      57
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      63
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Sony NEX-5

      Pentax K10D

      GOOD
      73
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      75
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Sony NEX-5

      Pentax K10D

      GOOD
      83
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 287 g (0.63 lb / 10.12 oz)
      GOOD
      80
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 793 g (1.75 lb / 27.97 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Sony NEX-5

      Pentax K10D

      GOOD
      83
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 287 g (0.63 lb / 10.12 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots
      GOOD
      82
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 793 g (1.75 lb / 27.97 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Sony NEX-5 and Pentax K10D and give both of them the score of 60 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Sony NEX-5

      Pentax K10D

      OVERALL
      60
      OVERALL
      60

      Sensor

      Sony NEX-5

      Pentax K10D

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 69
      GOOD
      70
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 66

      Photo

      Sony NEX-5

      Pentax K10D

      AVERAGE
      55
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Video

      Sony NEX-5

      Pentax K10D

      BAD
      16
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      BAD
      0
      •   Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Sony NEX-5

      Pentax K10D

      AVERAGE
      62
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Sony NEX-5

      Pentax K10D

      GOOD
      77
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot

      Connectivity

      Sony NEX-5

      Pentax K10D

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      POOR
      40
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Sony NEX-5

      Pentax K10D

      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 287 g (0.63 lb / 10.12 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots
      GOOD
      77
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 793 g (1.75 lb / 27.97 oz)


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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