Sony A35 vs Pentax K-01

Cameras
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Sony A35 vs Pentax K-01

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APS-C 365.0mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Sony A35 Review.

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.

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Differences

Sony A35 advantages over Pentax K-01

Less expensive
$700 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
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
0.22 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

Pentax K-01 advantages over Sony A35

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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 A35 test data on DxO Mark

1,135 vs 763 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
58 mm vs 84 mm
Thinner
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options

Similarities

Common Strengths

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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A35 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-01 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-01

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 40mm Lens

All K-01 Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Sony A35.
Read our Sony A35 Initial Test

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

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX10

Sony A35

Samsung NX10

$567
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$700
APS-C

Thinner

Compare Sony A35 vs 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

Compared to Sony A55

Sony A35

Sony A55

$567
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$734
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Built-in GPS

Compare Sony A35 vs Sony A55

Pentax K-01

Sony A55

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$734
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-01 vs Sony A55

Compared to Sony A33

Sony A35

Sony A33

$567
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$540
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony A35 vs Sony A33

Pentax K-01

Sony A33

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$540
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax K-01 vs Sony A33

Compared to Samsung NX20

Sony A35

Samsung NX20

$567
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$400
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony A35 vs 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

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A35

Pentax K-5 IIs

$567
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A35 vs 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

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