Canon 550D vs Pentax K-50
70 Imaging
57 Features
63 Overall
59


63 Imaging
58 Features
65 Overall
60
Canon 550D vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 12800)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF/EF-S Mount
- 530g - 129 x 98 x 62mm
- Launched April 2010
- Also Known as EOS Rebel T2i / EOS Kiss X4
- Replaced the Canon 500D
- Later Model is Canon 600D
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 51600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Revealed November 2013
- Previous Model is Pentax K-30

Canon 550D vs Pentax K-50 Overview
Lets look a bit more closely at the Canon 550D vs Pentax K-50, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the 550D (18MP) and the K-50 (16MP) is pretty similar and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

The 550D was brought out 4 years earlier than the K-50 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a short introduction of how the 550D scores versus the K-50 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon 550D vs Pentax K-50 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon EOS 550D and Pentax K-50. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon 550D Gallery and Pentax K-50 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 550D over the Pentax K-50
550D | K-50 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 921k | Clearer screen (+119k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Canon 550D
K-50 | 550D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | November 2013 | ![]() | April 2010 | Newer by 44 months |
Common features in the Canon 550D and Pentax K-50
550D | K-50 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Canon 550D vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Canon 550D provides outer dimensions of 129mm x 98mm x 62mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 2.4") and a weight of 530 grams (1.17 lbs) while the Pentax K-50 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).
Check the Canon 550D vs Pentax K-50 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the 550D versus the K-50.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 550D and K-50 is 70 and 63 respectively.

Canon 550D vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading technical specs. The image below might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the 550D and K-50.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should expect the Canon 550D to offer you greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged 550D is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon 550D vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 550D vs Pentax K-50 Specifications
Canon EOS 550D | Pentax K-50 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon EOS 550D | Pentax K-50 |
Also called | EOS Rebel T2i / EOS Kiss X4 | - |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2010-04-01 | 2013-11-27 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | PRIME M |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 332.3mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Full resolution | 5184 x 3456 | 4928 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 51600 |
Max boosted ISO | 12800 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Canon EF/EF-S | Pentax KAF2 |
Amount of lenses | 326 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 1,040k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | TFT color liquid-crystal LCD | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.55x | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/6000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 4.0 frames/s | 6.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 13.00 m | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/200 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 530 grams (1.17 lb) | 650 grams (1.43 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 129 x 98 x 62mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 2.4") | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 66 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.0 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.6 | 13.0 |
DXO Low light rating | 807 | 1120 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 470 photographs | 410 photographs |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LP-E8 | D-LI109 |
Self timer | Yes (2 sec or 10 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | $599 | $610 |