• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 22.00mm - 580.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax X-5 advantages over Canon G3X

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon G3X advantages over Pentax X-5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~1.90 vs 2.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 153k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.3 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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.

  • Good overall optical performance from the 24-600mm eq. lens; Very good image quality and high ISO performance for this class, especially with RAW; Lots of external controls; Comfortable grip; Shoots 1080/60p video; Includes both mic and headphone jack, Focus peaking for video; Clean HDMI.

  • No built-in EVF; Mediocre AF speeds; Sluggish burst rate with RAW/RAW+JPG and with servo AF; Below average battery life; No 4K video unlike competitors.

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
Canon G3X
Fujifilm S4500
  • $749
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $260
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

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
Canon G3X
Fujifilm S4200
  • $749
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $192
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life

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
Canon G3X
Fujifilm S6800
  • $749
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $169
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Panasonic FZ1000

Pentax X-5
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $187
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Canon G3X
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $749
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Pentax X-5
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $187
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Lighter weight
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon G3X
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $749
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
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