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Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1

Portability
57
Imaging
53
Features
65
Overall
57
Canon EOS 50D front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Canon 50D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 12800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 822g - 146 x 108 x 74mm
  • Introduced October 2008
  • Replaced the Canon 40D
  • Refreshed by Canon 60D
Pentax K-1
(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
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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.

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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.

Photography Glossary
	
	

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 
LaunchedFebruary 2016October 2008More modern by 88 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k920kSharper 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

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

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon 50D
Portrait photography with Pentax K-1
71
you can focus manually
MP count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW files
85
you can focus manually
MP count great (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon 50D
Street photography with Pentax K-1
57
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
70
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proof
great ISO range (204,800)
heavier than competitors (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon 50D
Sports photography with Pentax K-1
62
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
environment proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (800 CIPA)
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count great (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
max fps low (4.4 frames per second)
terrible battery (760 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 50D as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Travel photography camera
57
environment proof
MP count good (15MP)
built-in flash
bad battery life (800 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly display
53
environment proof
MP count great (36MP)
terrible battery (760 shots)
heavier than competitors (1,010 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon 50D
Landscape photography with Pentax K-1
65
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
MP count good (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (800 shots)
81
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count great (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (204,800)
saves RAW files
environment proof
2 card slots
terrible battery (760 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 50D Vlogging details
Pentax K-1 Vlogging details
9
lack of video recording
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic support
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
heavier than competitors (1,010 grams)
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Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 50D and Pentax K-1
 Canon EOS 50DPentax 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