Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5
55 Imaging
75 Features
82 Overall
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89 Imaging
53 Features
58 Overall
55
Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 204800
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
- Introduced February 2016
- Refreshed by Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Revealed June 2010
- New Model is Sony NEX-5N
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Below is a in-depth comparison of the Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and NEX-5 (14MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and NEX-5 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizing.
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe K-1 was brought out 5 years later than the NEX-5 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief view of how the K-1 grades vs the NEX-5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K-1 & Sony Alpha NEX-5. The entire galleries are provided at Pentax K-1 Gallery & Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Sony NEX-5
| K-1 | NEX-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | February 2016 | June 2010 | More recent by 70 months | |
| Display type | Fully Articulated | Tilting | Fully Articulating display | |
| Display sizing | 3.2" | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") | |
| Display resolution | 1037k | 920k | Crisper display (+117k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Pentax K-1
| NEX-5 | K-1 |
|---|
Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Sony NEX-5
| K-1 | NEX-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | More exact focusing | |||
| Selfie screen | Lacking selfie screen | |||
| Touch display | Lacking Touch display |
Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to lug around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-1 offers exterior dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5 has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).
Contrast the Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the K-1 and the NEX-5.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-1 and NEX-5 is 55 and 89 respectively.
Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements only by reviewing specifications. The graphic here will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-1 and NEX-5.
To sum up, the two cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The K-1 because of its larger sensor will make getting bokeh easier and the Pentax K-1 will offer more detail having its extra 22MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images a little more aggressively. The younger K-1 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.
Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
| Pentax K-1 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax K-1 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 |
| Category | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Introduced | 2016-02-17 | 2010-06-07 |
| Body design | Mid-size SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 35.9 x 24mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 861.6mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 36 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Max native ISO | 204800 | 12800 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 33 | 25 |
| Cross focus points | 25 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony E |
| Available lenses | 151 | 121 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of screen | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
| Screen sizing | 3.2" | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 1,037k dot | 920k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | - |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
| Max shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shutter speed | 4.4fps | 7.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
| Flash options | Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Max flash sync | 1/200 secs | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | Built-in | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 1010 gr (2.23 lb) | 287 gr (0.63 lb) |
| Dimensions | 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | 96 | 69 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 25.4 | 22.2 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 14.6 | 12.2 |
| DXO Low light score | 3280 | 796 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 760 pictures | 330 pictures |
| Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | D-LI90 | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage media | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | 2 | One |
| Launch pricing | $1,499 | $599 |