When comparing Head First Java vs Core Java, the Slant community recommends Head First Java for most people. In the question“What are the best resources to learn Java?” Head First Java is ranked 4th while Core Java is ranked 8th.
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro It has version-wise every concepts covered with examples
Pro Beginner-friendly
The explanations are done in a very non-technical and humorous way. This makes the book interesting to read unlike the hard core dry technical books.
Pro Both a tutorial and a reference
It's well-written enough to read cover-to-cover, and well organized enough to make a good reference.
Pro Very thorough
It really does cover the whole language. If you read both volumes, consider yourself a Java expert.
Pro Up to date contents
This book explains Java 8, which is the most recent version of Java.
Cons
Con Out of date with the language
The 2nd (and most recent) edition only covers Java up to version 5. A lot has changed in the intervening years.
Con Long
This is a weighty tome at over a thousand pages, and that's just Volume 1. Don't expect to read it overnight.