Clicky

Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5T

Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61
Pentax K-01 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5T front
Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
79
Overall
66

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

Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Revealed May 2012
Sony NEX-5T
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Revealed August 2013
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-5R
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5T Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Pentax K-01 versus Sony NEX-5T, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-01 (16MP) and the NEX-5T (16MP) is very well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

The K-01 was introduced 15 months earlier than the NEX-5T making them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5T being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short view of how the K-01 grades versus the NEX-5T with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp
	
	

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

 K-01 NEX-5T 

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

 NEX-5T K-01 
RevealedAugust 2013May 2012Newer by 15 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k921kClearer display (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

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

 K-01 NEX-5T 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display size3"3"Same display measurements

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

If you're looking to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-01 offers external measurements of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") having a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5T has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-01 versus Sony NEX-5T in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the K-01 vs the NEX-5T.

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

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the K-01 and NEX-5T is 76 and 89 respectively.

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

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

Usually, its difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reading through specifications. The pic below should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-01 and NEX-5T.

Plainly, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact MP and you should expect similar quality of pictures but you really should consider the production date of the products into consideration. The more aged K-01 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

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

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

Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5T Screen and Viewfinder comparison
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5T as a Portrait photography camera
74
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection focus
saves RAW formats
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Street Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5T as a Street photography camera
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
heavier than competitors in class (561g)
80
screen tilts
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
provides focus via touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-01
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5T
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
better than average battery (540 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
no phase detect auto focus
69
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
comes with phase detect AF
no image stabilization
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-01 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-5T Travel photography advice
65
better than average battery (540 shots)
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
heavier than competitors in class (561 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
77
provides focus via touch
good megapixels (16MP)
selfie friendly display
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-01 Landscape photography info
Sony NEX-5T Landscape photography info
80
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (540 per charge)
70
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-01 Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-5T Vlogging factors
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than competitors in class (561g)
73
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
provides face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
no image stabilization
doesn't have mic socket
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5T Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-01 and Sony NEX-5T
 Pentax K-01Sony Alpha NEX-5T
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-01 Sony Alpha NEX-5T
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-05-30 2013-08-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor 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
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 12800 25600
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 81 99
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Total lenses 151 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 921k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD monitor Tilt Up 180° Down 50° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 7.00 m (ISO100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max 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 x1080 (60p/60i/24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 561 grams (1.24 lbs) 276 grams (0.61 lbs)
Physical 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 score 79 78
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score 12.9 13.0
DXO Low light score 1135 1015
Other
Battery life 540 pictures 330 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ((10/2 sec. delay), Self-timer (Cont.) (with 10 sec. delay; 3/5 exposures))
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $899 $400