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Pentax K-01 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61
Pentax K-01 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Pentax K-01 vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Announced May 2012
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Announced July 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony HX10V
  • Renewed by Sony HX30V
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Pentax K-01 vs Sony HX20V Overview

Let's look more closely at the Pentax K-01 and Sony HX20V, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-01 (16MP) and the HX20V (18MP) is pretty similar but the K-01 (APS-C) and HX20V (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor size.

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The K-01 was launched about the same time to the HX20V so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the K-01 matches up versus the HX20V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Sony HX20V

 K-01 HX20V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Pentax K-01

 HX20V K-01 
Screen resolution922k921kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-01 and Sony HX20V

 K-01 HX20V 
AnnouncedMay 2012July 2012Similar age
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Pentax K-01 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Pentax K-01 features external measurements of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs) whilst the Sony HX20V has specifications of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-01 and Sony HX20V in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the K-01 vs the HX20V.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the K-01 and HX20V is 76 and 90 respectively.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions only by going over specifications. The picture below might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-01 and HX20V.

To sum up, each of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The K-01 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field simpler and the Sony HX20V will offer extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a bit more aggressively.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-01 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-01 Portrait photography details
Sony HX20V Portrait photography details
74
you can focus manually
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
45
manual focus
resolution is good (18MP)
features face detection autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-01 Street photography advice
Sony HX20V Street photography advice
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
more heavy than competitors (561 grams)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (254 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-01 Sports photography factors
Sony HX20V Sports photography factors
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great battery life (540 shots)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
has no phase detect auto focus
49
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-01 Travel photography features
Sony HX20V Travel photography features
65
great battery life (540 shots)
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
more heavy than competitors (561 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than average (254 grams)
resolution is good (18MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Landscape photography camera
80
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (540 per charge)
50
manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX20V as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competitors (561 grams)
34
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (254 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no external mic support
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Pentax K-01 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-01 and Sony HX20V
 Pentax K-01Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-01 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-05-30 2012-07-20
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 81 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD monitor XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 561 grams (1.24 pounds) 254 grams (0.56 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.9 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1135 not tested
Other
Battery life 540 images 320 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $899 $397