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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61
Pentax K-01 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Revealed May 2012
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-5
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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Pentax K-01 and Pentax K-5 II, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR and they are both built by Pentax. The resolution of the K-01 (16MP) and the K-5 II (16MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-01 was manufactured 12 months prior to the K-5 II so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the K-01 grades vs the K-5 II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Pentax K-5 II

 K-01 K-5 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Pentax K-01

 K-5 II K-01 
AnnouncedJune 2013May 2012More recent by 12 months

Common features in the Pentax K-01 and Pentax K-5 II

 K-01 K-5 II 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution921k921kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-01 comes with outside measurements of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") and a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 II has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-01 and Pentax K-5 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the K-01 and the K-5 II.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-01 and K-5 II is 76 and 60 respectively.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements only by checking a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-01 and K-5 II.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the identical MP so you should expect similar quality of files however you will want to take the production date of the products into consideration. The older K-01 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-01 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography factors
74
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
exports RAW files
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-01
Street photography with Pentax K-5 II
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
heavier than competition in class (561 grams)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-01
Sports photography with Pentax K-5 II
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
better than average battery power (540 shots)
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
has no phase detect auto focus
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-01 Travel photography info
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography info
65
better than average battery power (540 CIPA)
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
heavier than competition in class (561 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
65
environment proofing
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-01 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography highlights
80
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (540 per charge)
79
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-01 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging advice
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
heavier than competition in class (561 grams)
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic support
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-01 and Pentax K-5 II
 Pentax K-01Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-01 Pentax K-5 II
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-05-30 2013-06-04
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 81 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 561g (1.24 pounds) 760g (1.68 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 82
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.9 14.1
DXO Low light rating 1135 1235
Other
Battery life 540 images 980 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail price $899 $830