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Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs

Pentax K-1
(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
Sony NEX-5
(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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Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

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.

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The 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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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Sony NEX-5

 K-1 NEX-5 
RevealedFebruary 2016June 2010More recent by 70 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k920kCrisper 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography factors
85
manual focus
high megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
72
manual focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-1
Street photography with Sony NEX-5
70
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
above average high ISO (204,800)
heavier than others in class (1,010g)
76
tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography advice
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.4 frames per second)
bad battery power (760 per charge)
52
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-1
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5
53
weather proofing
high megapixels (36MP)
bad battery power (760 shots)
heavier than others in class (1,010 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
59
decent MP (14 megapixels)
no Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Landscape photography camera
81
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
above average high ISO (204,800)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
bad battery power (760 shots)
68
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3")
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Vlogging camera
31
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
heavier than others in class (1,010 grams)
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
no mic port
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Sony NEX-5
 Pentax K-1Sony 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