Pentax K-01 vs Sony a5000 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · Mirrorless · 16.28 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-01
53
WINNER
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 20 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony a5000
51
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K-01 and the Sony a5000 are both mirrorless cameras built around APS-C sensors, but they take entirely different lenses. The K-01 arrived in 2012 and uses the Pentax KAF mount, so it accepts K-mount glass. The a5000 followed in 2014 on the Sony E mount. The a5000 is the more portable body, measuring 110 x 63 x 36 mm and weighing 269 g, against 122 x 79 x 58 mm and 561 g for the K-01. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2014 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 2, 2012 | January 7, 2014 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 122 x 79 x 58 mm | 110 x 63 x 36 mm |
| Camera weight | 561 g | 269 g |
| Optics | 61/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe a5000 gives you more room to crop distant subjects or print larger, with 20 MP against 16.28 MP in the K-01. The core settings otherwise line up: each uses an APS-C CMOS sensor with a 100 ISO base and a 1/4000 second maximum shutter. For handheld work the K-01 is the stronger tool, because it offers in-body stabilisation while the a5000 does not. It also suits moving subjects better, with 81 autofocus points against 25 and a 6 fps burst rate against 3.5 fps. Neither camera has a viewfinder, so on both you frame shots on the rear screen. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.28 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4928 x 3264 | 5456 x 3632 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.7 x 23.7 | 15.4 x 23.2 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
6 fps045 | 3.5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Pentax KAF | Sony E |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Prime M | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 160003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 160003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
810300 | 250300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | No |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | None |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 70/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras record video with the same limits: Full HD is the maximum resolution on each, and 60 fps is the maximum frame rate on each. Neither camera offers 4K recording. Each also has built-in timelapse, so interval sequences need no external controller. One difference remains in file format. The K-01 records MPEG-4 clips and the a5000 records MP4. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4 | MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 37/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe a5000 is the better choice for framing yourself or shooting from the hip, because it has a flip screen while the K-01's display is fixed. Both screens are 3 inches, with live view, and both cameras include a built-in flash and Wi-Fi for transferring images. The K-01 answers with a sharper screen for checking focus and detail, at 921000 dots against 460800, and it supports an external flash while the a5000 does not. Neither camera has GPS, touch control or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | No |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 4608001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 24/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe K-01 carries the longer rated battery life, at 540 shots per charge under its test conditions against 420 for the a5000. Each uses its own battery pack, the D-LI90 in the K-01 and the NP-FW50 in the a5000, and neither charges over USB. Card storage is a near match. Both cameras use a single slot that takes SD, SDHC and SDXC media, and the a5000 additionally accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo cards. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | D-LI90 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
540 shots1505000 | 420 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Pick the Sony a5000 if portability, resolution and flexible framing lead your shooting: it weighs far less, offers 20 MP for cropping, and its flip screen suits travel shots, low camera angles and self-framed portraits.
Pick the Pentax K-01 for handheld stills in dim interiors, children and pets in motion, or anything needing off-camera lighting. Its in-body stabilisation, 81-point autofocus, 6 fps burst, external flash support and longer rated battery serve those situations directly. Choose by lens system too, since KAF and E mounts are not interchangeable.