Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-5R — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · Mirrorless · 16.28 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-01
53
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony NEX-5R
53
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K-01 and the Sony NEX-5R are mirrorless cameras launched in 2012, the K-01 in February and the NEX-5R in August. The Sony is the more portable body, measuring 111 x 59 x 39 mm and weighing 276 g. The K-01 measures 122 x 79 x 58 mm and weighs 561 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2012 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 2, 2012 | August 29, 2012 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 122 x 79 x 58 mm | 111 x 59 x 39 mm |
| Camera weight | 561 g | 276 g |
| Optics | 61/100 | 55/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe K-01 has in-body stabilisation, so every Pentax KAF lens you mount gains steadier handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds in dim interiors. The NEX-5R lacks it, so unstabilised Sony E lenses depend on the shutter speed you pick. Both use APS-C CMOS sensors with near-identical resolution, 16.28 MP versus 16.1 MP, so room to crop a distant subject is effectively shared. For moving subjects the NEX-5R is the stronger pick, shooting at up to 10 fps against the K-01's 6 fps, with 99 autofocus points against 81. It also reaches 25600 ISO natively, a ceiling the K-01 matches only through its expanded range. Both cap the shutter at 1/4000 second and offer no built-in viewfinder, so framing happens on the rear screen. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.28 MP050 | 16.1 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 | 4912 x 3264 |
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 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
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 | 10 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 |
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 | 256003003280000 |
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 | 256003003280000 |
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 | 990300 |
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 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor family clips and web uploads both cameras record Full HD video with maximum frame rates up to 60 fps, and neither offers 4K. The K-01 adds a built-in timelapse function, handy for condensing a sunset or drifting clouds without an external controller. The NEX-5R writes AVCHD or MP4 files, while the K-01 records MPEG-4. | ||
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 | No |
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 | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe NEX-5R is the better camera for awkward angles, because its 3-inch screen both tilts and responds to touch. You can frame low to the ground or over a crowd, then tap to set focus. The K-01's fixed, non-touch TFT screen offers neither adjustment. The K-01 counters with a built-in flash, giving instant fill for a backlit portrait where the Sony needs an accessory. The two screens sit at essentially equal dot counts, 921000 against 920000, on the same 3-inch size. Both offer WiFi for wireless transfer, live view, and support for an external flash. Neither includes GPS 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 | No |
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 | Yes |
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. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9200001150001500000 |
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 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe K-01 is the better choice for a long day of shooting: its D-LI90 battery is rated at 540 shots, against 330 for the NEX-5R's NPFW50. Both take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, and neither charges over USB. The NEX-5R also accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo cards. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | D-LI90 | NPFW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
540 shots1505000 | 330 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the K-01 if you shoot handheld in dim light: stabilisation with any Pentax KAF lens, a built-in flash and a 540-shot battery rating suit travel, interiors and mixed-condition days. Choose the NEX-5R when portability and speed matter more, since its 276 g body, up to 10 fps bursts and tilting touch screen make it the carry-everywhere option for candid and street work.
Beyond that, the decision largely follows the lens system you want to build on, Pentax KAF or Sony E, because both deliver similar APS-C stills resolution and the same Full HD video ceiling.