Pentax K-50 Competitors

As well as being compared against other entry-level DSLRs, the Pentax K-50 is also often compared to pro DSLRs and mirrorless. The Pentax K-50's top rivals come from Pentax (such as the K-5 and the K-1) and Nikon (such as the D7200 and the D3300)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Pentax K-50 compared to mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it has higher quality type of viewfinder (pentaprism vs none), has better image stabilization (sensor shift vs none), slightly higher maximum light sensitivity (51,600 ISO vs 12,800 ISO), has a weather sealed body and records movies in 24p.

However, on average it records higher quality movies (1080p @ 30fps vs 4K @ 24fps), has a slightly smaller screen (3" vs 3.2"), has a slightly lower resolution screen (921k dots vs 1,620k dots), doesn't record high-speed movies (none vs 1,200 fps) and doesn't have a touch screen.

Pentax K-01

1 year older

$550 (body only)

Significant advantages of the K-01 (vs the K-50)

• Has an external mic jack

Significant disadvantages of the K-01 (vs the K-50)

• No viewfinder: None vs Pentaprism
• No weather sealing
• Slower autofocus: Contrast detection vs Phase detection

common strengths of the K-01 and K-50

• Both have a built-in lens focus motor, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these
• Many lenses available: 113 lenses vs 113 lenses
• Each has a built-in flash

Compare the K-01 vs the K-50

Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5

3 years newer

$1,498 (body only)

$1,925 - $2,198 12-60mm lens

Significant advantages of the Lumix DC-GH5 (vs the K-50)

• Higher resolution movies: 4K @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 30fps
• Much larger screen: 3.2" vs 3"
• Much higher resolution screen: 1,620k dots vs 921k dots

Significant disadvantages of the Lumix DC-GH5 (vs the K-50)

• Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
• Significantly smaller viewfinder: 0.37x vs 0.61x
• Has a digital viewfinder: Digital vs Pentaprism

common strengths of the Lumix DC-GH5 and K-50

• Weather sealed
• Many lenses available: 108 lenses vs 113 lenses

Compare the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 vs the Pentax K-50

Fujifilm X-T2

3 years newer

$939 - $1,099 (body only)

$1,404 - $1,499 18-55mm lens

Significant advantages of the X-T2 (vs the K-50)

• Has a flip-out screen
• Significantly larger viewfinder: 0.76x vs 0.61x
• Has an external mic jack

Significant disadvantages of the X-T2 (vs the K-50)

• Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
• Has a digital viewfinder: Digital vs Pentaprism
• Significantly fewer lenses available: 58 lenses vs 113 lenses

common strengths of the X-T2 and K-50

• Weather sealed
• Both use faster phase detection autofocus: Phase detection vs Phase detection

Compare the Fujifilm X-T2 vs the Pentax K-50

Sony NEX 5R

9 months older

$660 (body only)

Significant advantages of the 5R (vs the K-50)

• Has a touch screen
• Continuous video focus
• Has a flip-out screen

Significant disadvantages of the 5R (vs the K-50)

• No image stabilization: None vs
  1. Sensor shift
• No viewfinder: None vs Pentaprism
• Doesn't have a built-in focus motor

common strengths of the 5R and K-50

• None found

Compare the Sony NEX 5R vs the Pentax K-50

Nikon 1 AW1

3 months newer

$360 11-2mm lens

Significant advantages of the AW1 (vs the K-50)

• Records high-speed movies: 1,200 fps vs None
• Continuous video focus
• Has a GPS

Significant disadvantages of the AW1 (vs the K-50)

• No image stabilization: None vs
  1. Sensor shift
• No viewfinder: None vs Pentaprism
• No 24p support

common strengths of the AW1 and K-50

• Weather sealed
• Each has a built-in flash

Compare the Nikon 1 AW1 vs the Pentax K-50