• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 22.00mm - 580.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1000.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax X-5 advantages over Nikon P520

  • Less expensive
    $280 vs $450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon P520 advantages over Pentax X-5

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,000 mm vs 580 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Longer exposure
    8 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Impressive 26x optical zoom lens delivers crisp images, even when at full tele; Comfortable, ergonomic camera build feels higher-end than its low price point suggests; Lots of effective, automated features make picture-taking a fun experience for the beginner.

  • DSLR-style camera body might attract enthusiasts who will be disappointed in the X-5's consumer focus; Frustratingly slow to use all around; AA batteries can fall out when retrieving the SD card; Some design quirks are off-putting.

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm S4500

Pentax X-5
Fujifilm S4500
  • $187
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $260
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
Nikon P520
Fujifilm S4500
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $260
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Fujifilm S4200

Pentax X-5
Fujifilm S4200
  • $187
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $192
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure
Nikon P520
Fujifilm S4200
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $192
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon P510

Pentax X-5
Nikon P510
  • $187
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
Nikon P520
Nikon P510
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Higher extended ISO

Compared to Fujifilm S6800

Pentax X-5
Fujifilm S6800
  • $187
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $169
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
Nikon P520
Fujifilm S6800
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $169
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compared to Nikon P530

Pentax X-5
Nikon P530
  • $187
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 24p video
Nikon P520
Nikon P530
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video
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