Pentax K-01 vs Sony A55
76 Imaging
57 Features
68 Overall
61


67 Imaging
55 Features
80 Overall
65
Pentax K-01 vs Sony A55 Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A55 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-01 and Sony SLT-A55. The complete galleries are available at Pentax K-01 Gallery and Sony A55 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Sony A55
K-01 | A55 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | May 2012 | ![]() | August 2010 | More modern by 22 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Pentax K-01
A55 | K-01 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | 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 dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen dimensions |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | Exact 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Sony A55 Specifications
Pentax K-01 | Sony 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 |