Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5N — Which Is Better?

The Pentax K-01 and the Sony NEX-5N are both mirrorless cameras, released in 2012 and 2011 respectively, each taking interchangeable lenses without a mirror box.

The NEX-5N is the much smaller and lighter body, measuring 111 x 59 x 38 mm and weighing 269 g. The K-01 measures 122 x 79 x 58 mm and weighs 561 g. That makes the Sony the easier camera to pack for travel and everyday carry.

The NEX-5N is the stronger choice for action shooting, offering 10 fps bursts against 6 fps on the K-01. That speed gives you more frames of a runner mid-stride or a bird taking flight. The K-01 counters with 81 autofocus points against 25, giving more selectable points for off-centre subjects. Resolution is nearly tied, at 16.28 versus 16.1 megapixels, so cropping room is effectively even.

The K-01 is the better pick for handheld work in dim light. Its in-body stabilisation steadies any mounted lens for slower shutter speeds at dusk or indoors, a capability the NEX-5N lacks. The mounts differ, with Pentax KAF on the K-01 and Sony E on the NEX-5N, so lens choice follows the brand.

Built-in timelapse makes the K-01 the more convenient camera for interval shooting, capturing a fading sunset or drifting clouds without an external intervalometer. The NEX-5N has no built-in timelapse. Both cameras record Full HD video, and each supports a maximum frame rate of 60 fps.

Neither camera records 4K, so cropping footage in post is capped by the same Full HD limit on both. Recording format differs, with MPEG-4 on the K-01 and MP4 on the NEX-5N.

The NEX-5N gives you more flexible framing with a tilting touch screen, so you can shoot waist-level street scenes or overhead crowd shots and tap to set focus. The K-01's fixed, non-touch 3-inch screen keeps composition at eye level.

The K-01 is handier when light drops, with a built-in flash and Wi-Fi for transferring photos without a cable. The NEX-5N has neither, though both support an external flash. Neither camera has GPS, so geotagging needs a separate device.

The K-01's battery carries the higher rating, at 540 shots per charge against 460 for the NEX-5N. The cameras use different D-LI90 and NPFW50 packs, and neither charges over USB.

Each camera uses a single card slot, so there is no in-camera backup option. The K-01 takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, while the NEX-5N also accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media, useful if you already own Sony cards.