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Pentax K-01 vs Sony A55

Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61
Pentax K-01 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
55
Features
80
Overall
65

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A55 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 A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Launched August 2010
  • New Model is Sony A57
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A55 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Pentax K-01 versus Sony A55, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-01 (16MP) and the A55 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-01 was released 22 months after the A55 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short overview of how the K-01 matches up versus the A55 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Sony A55

 K-01 A55 
LaunchedMay 2012August 2010More modern by 22 months

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Pentax K-01

 A55 K-01 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-01 and Sony A55

 K-01 A55 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Screen resolution921k921kExact same screen resolution
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-01 offers outer measurements 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 A55 has measurements of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-01 versus Sony A55 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the K-01 compared to the A55.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the K-01 and A55 is 76 and 67 respectively.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to see the gap between sensor sizes simply by checking specifications. The picture underneath might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the K-01 and A55.

To sum up, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same MP therefore you should expect similar quality of photos though you might want to consider the release date of the products into consideration. The fresher K-01 will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-01 Portrait photography factors
Sony A55 Portrait photography factors
74
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
73
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-01
Street photography with Sony A55
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
more heavy than competition (561g)
76
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-01 Sports photography advice
Sony A55 Sports photography advice
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery life (540 shots)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
lack of phase detect AF
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
low battery life (380 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A55 as a Travel photography camera
65
better than average battery life (540 shots)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
more heavy than competition (561g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
61
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery life (380 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-01 Landscape photography info
Sony A55 Landscape photography info
80
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (540 per charge)
67
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
low battery life (380 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-01 Vlogging highlights
Sony A55 Vlogging highlights
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (561g)
77
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone port
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Pentax K-01 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-01 and Sony A55
 Pentax K-01Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-01 Sony SLT-A55
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2012-05-30 2010-08-24
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4928 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Max enhanced ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 81 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 921k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
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 sync 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 561 gr (1.24 pounds) 500 gr (1.10 pounds)
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 73
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score 12.9 12.4
DXO Low light score 1135 816
Other
Battery life 540 shots 380 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $899 $800