Clicky

Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61
Pentax K-01 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
69
Overall
61

Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Launched May 2012
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Announced October 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-5R
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Pentax K-01 versus Sony NEX-5N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-01 (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is pretty comparable and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

The K-01 was revealed 8 months after the NEX-5N so they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the K-01 matches up versus the NEX-5N with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Sony NEX-5N

 K-01 NEX-5N 
AnnouncedMay 2012October 2011More modern by 8 months
Screen resolution921k920kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Pentax K-01

 NEX-5N K-01 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-01 and Sony NEX-5N

 K-01 NEX-5N 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-01 features outer dimensions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") along with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-01 versus Sony NEX-5N in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the K-01 compared to the NEX-5N.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-01 and NEX-5N is 76 and 89 respectively.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizes just by checking out specifications. The picture here will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-01 and NEX-5N.

To sum up, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of images although you may want to consider the age of the cameras into account. The younger K-01 will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-01
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5N
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW files
74
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW files
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Street Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Street photography camera
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
more heavy than others in class (561g)
80
tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
supports focus by touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-01
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5N
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great battery life (540 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames/s)
no phase detect auto focus
58
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
better than average battery (460 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-01 Travel photography factors
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography factors
65
great battery life (540 per charge)
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
more heavy than others in class (561 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
better than average battery (460 shots)
supports focus by touch
decent MP (16 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Landscape photography camera
80
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (540 CIPA)
71
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (460 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse recording
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-01 Vlogging features
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging features
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone support
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than others in class (561g)
33
touchscreen functionality
comes with face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have microphone port
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-01 and Sony NEX-5N
 Pentax K-01Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-01 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-05-30 2011-10-03
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 12800 25600
Highest boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
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
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 561 gr (1.24 lbs) 269 gr (0.59 lbs)
Dimensions 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 79 77
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score 12.9 12.7
DXO Low light score 1135 1079
Other
Battery life 540 pictures 460 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $899 $550