Pentax K-01 vs Sony NEX-F3 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · Mirrorless · 16.28 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-01
53
WINNER
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Sony NEX-F3
46
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K-01 and the Sony NEX-F3 are both 2012 mirrorless cameras with APS-C sensors. The NEX-F3 is the more portable body, measuring 117 x 67 x 42 mm and weighing 314 g, against the K-01's 122 x 79 x 58 mm and 561 g. That 247 g difference matters most for a camera that lives in a bag all day. | ||
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 | May 17, 2012 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 122 x 79 x 58 mm | 117 x 67 x 42 mm |
| Camera weight | 561 g | 314 g |
| Optics | 61/100 | 50/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe K-01 is the stronger choice for handheld shooting in dim rooms, because it offers in-body stabilisation, which supports slower handheld shutter speeds, while the NEX-F3 does not. Its 81 autofocus points against 25 leave far more choice for where to place focus in a composition. The 6 fps burst against 5.5 fps adds a slight edge when photographing an approaching child or pet. Resolution makes a negligible difference to prints and crops here: 16.28 megapixels on the K-01 against 16.1 on the NEX-F3, both on APS-C CMOS sensors. Both top out at a 1/4000 second shutter, and neither offers a viewfinder, so you frame every shot on the rear screen. The lens mounts differ: the K-01 takes Pentax KAF lenses and the NEX-F3 takes Sony E lenses. | ||
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 | 5.5 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 |
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 | 20030200 |
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 | 34/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe K-01 is the stronger choice for video, with a maximum resolution of Full HD and a top frame rate of 60 fps, while the NEX-F3 tops out at Standard HD resolution and a 30 fps frame rate. A 60 fps ceiling gives smoother motion and room for a modest slow-motion effect when editing. The Sony's limits suit casual clips rather than more serious footage. The K-01 also has built-in timelapse, which the Sony body does not offer, so interval work needs no separate remote or intervalometer. | ||
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 |  Standard 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 | 1280 x 720 |
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 | 30 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 | MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe NEX-F3's tilting screen is its most useful extra, helping with self-portraits and overhead or waist-level shooting, while the K-01's screen is fixed. The K-01 answers with built-in Wi-Fi, so you can transfer photos to a phone or tablet without a card reader. Each has a 3-inch LCD of about 920,000 dots, and neither offers 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 | 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| 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 | No |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras record to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, with no backup slot and no USB charging on either body. The K-01's D-LI90 battery is rated for 540 shots under its test conditions against 470 for the NEX-F3's NP-FW50, a modest lead for a long day of stills. The Sony also accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media, which only matters if you still own those older cards. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG 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 | 470 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Pentax K-01 if you shoot handheld in low light, want stabilisation for slower handheld shutter speeds, more autofocus points for off-centre compositions, or Full HD video with built-in timelapse. Choose the Sony NEX-F3 if you want the lighter body for carrying all day and a tilting screen for self-portraits and low-angle work. Both give near-identical APS-C resolution, and your preferred lens mount, Pentax KAF or Sony E, should shape the system you build.