• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-01 advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    58 mm vs 85 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.9 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Pentax K-01

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 670 vs 500 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 61 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Newer
    6 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.80 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Wider angle kit lens
    28 mm vs 61 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    77 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

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.

  • Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.

  • Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.

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
Pentax K-1 II
Samsung NX10
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

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
Pentax K-1 II
Fujifilm X-Pro1
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner

Compared to Samsung NX20

Pentax K-01
Samsung NX20
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
Pentax K-1 II
Samsung NX20
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Pentax K-1

Pentax K-01
Pentax K-1
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Pentax K-1 II
Pentax K-1
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $1800
  • 35mm

Compared to Nikon D850

Pentax K-01
Nikon D850
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
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