Pentax K-01 vs Sony A37

Cameras
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Pentax K-01 vs Sony A37

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APS-C 369.7mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-01 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-01.

APS-C 369.7mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A37 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A37.

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Differences

Pentax K-01 advantages over Sony A37

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
K-01 test data on DxO Mark A37 test data on DxO Mark

1,135 vs 799 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
58 mm vs 84 mm
Thinner
More dots on screen
921k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options

Sony A37 advantages over Pentax K-01

Less expensive
$600 vs $900 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 2.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
More telephoto lens reach
83 mm vs 61 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Less shutter lag
0.11 vs 0.80 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Wider angle kit lens
27 mm vs 61 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Pentax K-01

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 40mm Lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A37

Review Excerpt

Very good image quality and excellent high ISO performance. Premium build quality. In-body image stabilization. Lots of creative features. Full HD movie capture with manual exposure control.
Barely any smaller than a standard SLR, but lacks viewfinder and phase-detect autofocus. Contrast-detect AF is slow and unreliable. Body design is clumsy and uncomfortable. Very slow raw burst shooting.
Read our Pentax K-01 Review

We haven’t reviewed the Sony A37.
Read our Sony A37 Initial Test

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX10

Pentax K-01

Samsung NX10

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax K-01 vs Samsung NX10

Sony A37

Samsung NX10

$600
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$700
APS-C

Thinner
More dots on screen

Compare Sony A37 vs Samsung NX10

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro1

Pentax K-01

Fujifilm X-Pro1

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$499
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-01 vs Fujifilm X-Pro1

Sony A37

Fujifilm X-Pro1

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$499
APS-C

Thinner
Higher-res screen

Compare Sony A37 vs Fujifilm X-Pro1

Compared to Sony A57

Pentax K-01

Sony A57

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$800
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-01 vs Sony A57

Sony A37

Sony A57

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

$800
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Higher-res screen

Compare Sony A37 vs Sony A57

Compared to Samsung NX20

Pentax K-01

Samsung NX20

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$400
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-01 vs Samsung NX20

Sony A37

Samsung NX20

$600
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$400
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
Thinner

Compare Sony A37 vs Samsung NX20

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Pentax K-01

Pentax K-5 IIs

$359
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A37

Pentax K-5 IIs

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A37 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

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