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Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
57
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Canon EOS 50D front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 II Key Specs

Canon 50D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 12800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 822g - 146 x 108 x 74mm
  • Launched October 2008
  • Earlier Model is Canon 40D
  • Updated by Canon 60D
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Revealed February 2018
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-1
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Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 II, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the 50D (15MP) and K-1 II (36MP) and the 50D (APS-C) and K-1 II (Full frame) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The 50D was introduced 10 years before the K-1 II and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the 50D grades versus the K-1 II for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon 50D over the Pentax K-1 II

 50D K-1 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Canon 50D

 K-1 II 50D 
RevealedFebruary 2018October 2008More recent by 113 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k920kClearer screen (+117k dot)

Common features in the Canon 50D and Pentax K-1 II

 50D K-1 II 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Canon 50D has got exterior dimensions of 146mm x 108mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") having a weight of 822 grams (1.81 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 II has specifications of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

See the Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at the time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the 50D compared to the K-1 II.

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 II size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 50D and K-1 II is 57 and 55 respectively.

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

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor measurements only by seeing technical specs. The photograph underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the 50D and K-1 II.

As you have seen, both cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The 50D having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-1 II will produce greater detail using its extra 21 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The older 50D will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 II sensor size comparison

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Canon 50D Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography highlights
72
manual focus
decent MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW files
86
manual focus
megapixel count excellent (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon 50D Street photography advice
Pentax K-1 II Street photography advice
57
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
70
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
above average high ISO (819,200)
more heavy than competition (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon 50D Sports photography features
Pentax K-1 II Sports photography features
62
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
decent MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery pack (800 CIPA)
77
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count excellent (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.4 fps)
not so great battery pack (670 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 50D Travel photography features
Pentax K-1 II Travel photography features
57
environment proofing
decent MP (15MP)
built-in flash
terrible battery pack (800 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
53
weather proofing
megapixel count excellent (36 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (670 shots)
more heavy than competition (1,010 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 50D Landscape photography details
Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography details
66
manual focus
swap lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
decent MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery pack (800 shots)
82
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count excellent (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (819,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
not so great battery pack (670 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 50D Vlogging details
Pentax K-1 II Vlogging details
9
no video recording
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (1,010g)
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Canon 50D vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 50D and Pentax K-1 II
 Canon EOS 50DPentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Company Canon Pentax
Model type Canon EOS 50D Pentax K-1 Mark II
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2008-10-30 2018-02-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 PRIME IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 332.3mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4752 x 3168 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 3200 819200
Maximum enhanced ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF/EF-S Pentax KAF4
Available lenses 326 151
Crop factor 1.6 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT liquid-crystal color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.3fps 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/200 secs
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)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None 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
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 822g (1.81 lbs) 1010g (2.23 lbs)
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 Overall rating 63 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 696 not tested
Other
Battery life 800 photos 670 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-511A D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots One 2
Cost at release $996 $1,737