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Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61
Pentax K-01 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

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

Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Announced May 2012
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Released August 2012
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-5N
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5T
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Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Pentax K-01 versus Sony NEX-5R, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-01 (16MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is relatively well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-01 was unveiled 3 months prior to the NEX-5R which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a short summation of how the K-01 matches up against the NEX-5R with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 K-01 NEX-5R 
Screen resolution921k920kSharper screen (+1k dot)

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

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

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

 K-01 NEX-5R 
ReleasedMay 2012August 2012Similar age
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

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

If you're going to carry around your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-01 enjoys external 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) whilst the Sony NEX-5R has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-01 versus Sony NEX-5R in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the K-01 versus the NEX-5R.

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

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the K-01 and NEX-5R is 76 and 89 respectively.

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

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

Usually, it can be hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizes just by looking at specifications. The pic here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the K-01 and NEX-5R.

Plainly, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same MP therefore you can expect similar quality of photos although you would want to consider the launch date of the products into consideration.

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

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

Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-01 Portrait photography information
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography information
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-01 Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-5R Street photography highlights
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
more heavy than competition (561g)
80
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
features focus via touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-01 Sports photography details
Sony NEX-5R Sports photography details
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great battery life (540 per charge)
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
does not have phase detect AF
68
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
supports phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-01 Travel photography info
Sony NEX-5R Travel photography info
65
great battery life (540 shots)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
more heavy than competition (561g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
73
features focus via touch
good resolution (16 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-01 Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography information
80
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (540 shots)
75
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-01 Vlogging highlights
Sony NEX-5R Vlogging highlights
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone port
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (561g)
31
touch screen
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
missing microphone socket
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Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-01 and Sony NEX-5R
 Pentax K-01Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-01 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2012-05-30 2012-08-29
Physical type 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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12800 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 81 99
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Total lenses 151 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD monitor Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 561 gr (1.24 lbs) 276 gr (0.61 lbs)
Dimensions 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 78
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.9 13.1
DXO Low light rating 1135 910
Other
Battery life 540 images 330 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $899 $750