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Pentax K-01 vs Sony A3000

Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61
Pentax K-01 front
 
Sony Alpha A3000 front
Portability
69
Imaging
62
Features
54
Overall
58

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A3000 Key Specs

Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Released May 2012
Sony A3000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Launched August 2013
  • Later Model is Sony a3500
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Pentax K-01 vs Sony A3000 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Pentax K-01 and Sony A3000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-01 (16MP) and the A3000 (20MP) is very comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The K-01 was introduced 15 months earlier than the A3000 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the K-01 scores vs the A3000 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Sony A3000

 K-01 A3000 
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A3000 over the Pentax K-01

 A3000 K-01 
LaunchedAugust 2013May 2012Fresher by 15 months

Common features in the Pentax K-01 and Sony A3000

 K-01 A3000 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A3000 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-01 has got outside measurements of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") accompanied by a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs) and the Sony A3000 has proportions of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-01 and Sony A3000 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the K-01 and the A3000.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A3000 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-01 and A3000 is 76 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A3000 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A3000 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to picture the gap in sensor sizing merely by seeing specifications. The graphic underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-01 and A3000.

Plainly, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony A3000 to show extra detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The older K-01 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A3000 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A3000 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A3000 as a Portrait photography camera
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW files
77
manual focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-01 Street photography information
Sony A3000 Street photography information
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
heavier than competitors (561g)
56
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (411g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-01 Sports photography information
Sony A3000 Sports photography information
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great battery power (540 per charge)
max frames per second low (6.0 frames/s)
no phase detect AF
59
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
better than average battery power (470 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-01 Travel photography advice
Sony A3000 Travel photography advice
65
great battery power (540 per charge)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
heavier than competitors (561g)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
better than average battery power (470 CIPA)
MP count decent (20MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (411 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-01 Landscape photography information
Sony A3000 Landscape photography information
80
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
great battery power (540 CIPA)
70
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (470 shots)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-01
Vlogging with Sony A3000
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes mic jack
display isn't selfie friendly
heavier than competitors (561g)
26
comes with face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (411g)
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Pentax K-01 vs Sony A3000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-01 and Sony A3000
 Pentax K-01Sony Alpha A3000
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-01 Sony Alpha A3000
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-05-30 2013-08-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ image
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 5456 x 3632
Max native ISO 12800 16000
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 81 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Total lenses 151 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, H.264, MP4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 561 gr (1.24 lb) 411 gr (0.91 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 79 78
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.9 12.8
DXO Low light score 1135 1068
Other
Battery life 540 photos 470 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $899 $398