Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1
57 Imaging
53 Features
65 Overall
57


55 Imaging
75 Features
82 Overall
77
Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 204800
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
- Launched February 2016
- Refreshed by Pentax K-1 II

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 Overview
On this page, we will be comparing the Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the 50D (15MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the 50D (APS-C) and K-1 (Full frame) posses totally different sensor sizes.

The 50D was brought out 8 years prior to the K-1 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the 50D scores against the K-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Canon EOS 50D & Pentax K-1. The entire galleries are available at Canon 50D Gallery & Pentax K-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 50D over the Pentax K-1
50D | K-1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Canon 50D
K-1 | 50D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2016 | ![]() | October 2008 | More modern by 88 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper screen (+117k dot) |
Common features in the Canon 50D and Pentax K-1
50D | K-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch screen |
Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon 50D has outside measurements of 146mm x 108mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") and a weight of 822 grams (1.81 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-1 has dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).
Contrast the Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the 50D vs the K-1.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the 50D and K-1 is 57 and 55 respectively.

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's hard to see the gap between sensor sizes merely by checking specifications. The image here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the 50D and K-1.
Plainly, the two cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 50D featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-1 will resolve more detail having its extra 21MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged 50D is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 Specifications
Canon EOS 50D | Pentax K-1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon EOS 50D | Pentax K-1 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2008-10-30 | 2016-02-17 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 332.3mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 15 megapixels | 36 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Highest resolution | 4752 x 3168 | 7360 x 4912 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 204800 |
Highest boosted ISO | 12800 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 33 |
Cross focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Canon EF/EF-S | Pentax KAF2 |
Number of lenses | 326 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display size | 3 inches | 3.2 inches |
Resolution of display | 920 thousand dots | 1,037 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | TFT liquid-crystal color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.6x | 0.7x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 6.3 frames/s | 4.4 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m (ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/250s | 1/200s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Built-in |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 822 gr (1.81 lbs) | 1010 gr (2.23 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 146 x 108 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") | 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 63 | 96 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.8 | 25.4 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.4 | 14.6 |
DXO Low light score | 696 | 3280 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 800 shots | 760 shots |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BP-511A | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) |
Card slots | Single | Dual |
Pricing at launch | $996 | $1,499 |