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)
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
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
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
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
- Sensor shift
- No viewfinder: None vs Pentaprism
- Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
common strengths of the 5R and 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
- 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