Pentax K-01 vs Sony A35
76 Imaging
57 Features
68 Overall
61


69 Imaging
56 Features
70 Overall
61
Pentax K-01 vs Sony A35 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
- Introduced May 2012
(Full Review)

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A35 Overview
Here is a in-depth analysis of the Pentax K-01 and Sony A35, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-01 (16MP) and the A35 (16MP) is pretty similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

The K-01 was introduced 9 months later than the A35 so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A35 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the K-01 scores against the A35 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A35 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-01 & Sony SLT-A35. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax K-01 Gallery & Sony A35 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Sony A35
K-01 | A35 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | May 2012 | ![]() | September 2011 | Fresher by 9 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A35 over the Pentax K-01
A35 | K-01 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-01 and Sony A35
K-01 | A35 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen dimensions |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch screen |
Pentax K-01 vs Sony A35 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to carry your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and size. The Pentax K-01 enjoys outside measurements of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") accompanied by a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs) and the Sony A35 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 415 grams (0.91 lbs).
Take a look at the Pentax K-01 and Sony A35 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the K-01 vs the A35.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the K-01 and A35 is 76 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A35 Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizing merely by reviewing technical specs. The graphic underneath might give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-01 and A35.
As you have seen, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same resolution so you can expect similar quality of photographs but you have to take the launch date of the products into consideration. The more recent K-01 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A35 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A35 Specifications
Pentax K-01 | Sony SLT-A35 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K-01 | Sony SLT-A35 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2012-05-30 | 2011-09-20 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 372.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
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 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 81 | 15 |
Cross focus points | - | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Total lenses | 151 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 921 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,150 thousand dots |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.73x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 6.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 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, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 561g (1.24 lbs) | 415g (0.91 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") | 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 79 | 74 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.7 | 23.3 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.9 | 12.7 |
DXO Low light score | 1135 | 763 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 540 photos | 440 photos |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI90 | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $899 | $598 |