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Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5N 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Introduced February 2016
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-1 II
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Launched October 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-5R
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5N, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and NEX-5N (APS-C) provide different sensor sizes.

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The K-1 was announced 4 years later than the NEX-5N and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the K-1 grades versus the NEX-5N with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 K-1 NEX-5N 
LaunchedFebruary 2016October 2011More recent by 54 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k920kCrisper screen (+117k dot)

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

 NEX-5N K-1 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Sony NEX-5N

 K-1 NEX-5N 
Manual focus More exact focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-1 enjoys external dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5N in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the K-1 compared to the NEX-5N.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-1 and NEX-5N is 55 and 89 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to visualize the difference in sensor measurements simply by checking out technical specs. The visual underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-1 and NEX-5N.

As you have seen, both of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The K-1 having a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Pentax K-1 will show greater detail with its extra 20 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots way more aggressively. The more modern K-1 should have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

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

Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 Portrait photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography advice
85
you can focus manually
great megapixels (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
73
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Street photography camera
70
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
above average ISO range (204,800)
more heavy than others in class (1,010 grams)
80
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography advice
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.4 frames per second)
terrible battery life (760 shots)
58
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great battery pack (460 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography advice
53
weather proofing
great megapixels (36MP)
terrible battery life (760 shots)
more heavy than others in class (1,010g)
display isn't selfie friendly
70
great battery pack (460 CIPA)
boasts touch focus
MP count decent (16MP)
no Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography advice
81
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (204,800)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
two card slots
terrible battery life (760 CIPA)
71
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (460 shots)
lack of image stabilization
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-1
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5N
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone socket
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than others in class (1,010 grams)
33
touchscreen enabled
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no external microphone port
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Sony NEX-5N
 Pentax K-1Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-1 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2016-02-17 2011-10-03
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 36MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 7360 x 4912 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 204800 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 33 25
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Number of lenses 151 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen diagonal 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.4 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash modes 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
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1010 gr (2.23 lb) 269 gr (0.59 lb)
Physical 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 rating 96 77
DXO Color Depth rating 25.4 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.6 12.7
DXO Low light rating 3280 1079
Other
Battery life 760 photographs 460 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Two Single
Launch cost $1,499 $550