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Pentax K-01 vs Sony QX1

Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61
Pentax K-01 front
 
Sony Alpha QX1 front
Portability
90
Imaging
63
Features
48
Overall
57

Pentax K-01 vs Sony QX1 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
  • Released May 2012
Sony QX1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 216g - 74 x 70 x 53mm
  • Released September 2014
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Pentax K-01 vs Sony QX1 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Pentax K-01 versus Sony QX1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Lens-style by rivals Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-01 (16MP) and the QX1 (20MP) is very similar and they possess the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-01 was released 3 years earlier than the QX1 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony QX1 being a Lens-style camera.

Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the K-01 scores versus the QX1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Sony QX1

 K-01 QX1 
Display dimension3""Larger display (+3")
Display resolution921k0kClearer display (+921k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX1 over the Pentax K-01

 QX1 K-01 
ReleasedSeptember 2014May 2012More modern by 27 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-01 and Sony QX1

 K-01 QX1 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Pentax K-01 vs Sony QX1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-01 enjoys outside dimensions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") having a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs) and the Sony QX1 has proportions of 74mm x 70mm x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") along with a weight of 216 grams (0.48 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-01 versus Sony QX1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the K-01 compared to the QX1.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony QX1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the K-01 and QX1 is 76 and 90 respectively.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony QX1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Sony QX1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizes simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The image underneath will help give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-01 and QX1.

As you can see, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Sony QX1 to deliver more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics much more aggressively. The more aged K-01 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony QX1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Sony QX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-01 vs Sony QX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony QX1 as a Portrait photography camera
74
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
66
has manual focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW files
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Street photography camera
Sony QX1 as a Street photography camera
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
heavier than competitors (561g)
69
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
provides touch to focus
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
heavier than others in class (216 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-01 Sports photography information
Sony QX1 Sports photography information
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great battery power (540 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
lacks phase detect autofocus
56
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
better than average battery power (440 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-01 Travel photography info
Sony QX1 Travel photography info
65
great battery power (540 CIPA)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
heavier than competitors (561 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
71
better than average battery power (440 per charge)
provides touch to focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (216 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-01 Landscape photography factors
Sony QX1 Landscape photography factors
80
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (540 CIPA)
64
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (440 per charge)
screen is small (")
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-01
Vlogging with Sony QX1
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than competitors (561 grams)
32
touchscreen functionality
comes with face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no external mic port
heavier than others in class (216 grams)
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Pentax K-01 vs Sony QX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-01 and Sony QX1
 Pentax K-01Sony Alpha QX1
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-01 Sony Alpha QX1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Lens-style
Released 2012-05-30 2014-09-03
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Lens-style
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 5456 x 3632
Maximum native ISO 12800 16000
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 81 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Amount of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 1.6
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch -
Display resolution 921k dot 0k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync Off, auto, fill, slow sync, rear sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 561g (1.24 pounds) 216g (0.48 pounds)
Dimensions 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") 74 x 70 x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.9 not tested
DXO Low light score 1135 not tested
Other
Battery life 540 photographs 440 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $899 $500