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Nikon L820 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
72
Imaging
40
Features
28
Overall
35
Nikon Coolpix L820 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Nikon L820 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Nikon L820
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-675mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 470g - 111 x 76 x 85mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Replaced the Nikon L810
  • Later Model is Nikon L830
Pentax K-50
(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
  • Announced November 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-30
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Nikon L820 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Nikon L820 versus Pentax K-50, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Nikon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the L820 (16MP) and the K-50 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the L820 (1/2.3") and K-50 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The L820 was announced 10 months before the K-50 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon L820 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a complete comparison, below is a brief overview of how the L820 grades vs the K-50 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L820 over the Pentax K-50

 L820 K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Nikon L820

 K-50 L820 
AnnouncedNovember 2013January 2013Newer by 10 months
Manually focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Nikon L820 and Pentax K-50

 L820 K-50 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution921k921kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Nikon L820 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon L820 has external dimensions of 111mm x 76mm x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") along with a weight of 470 grams (1.04 lbs) and the Pentax K-50 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Compare the Nikon L820 versus Pentax K-50 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the L820 against the K-50.

Nikon L820 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the L820 and K-50 is 72 and 63 respectively.

Nikon L820 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L820 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions just by seeing a spec sheet. The picture here will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the L820 and K-50.

Clearly, the two cameras offer the same exact megapixels albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The L820 features the smaller sensor which is going to make getting shallow depth of field more challenging. The more aged L820 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon L820 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Nikon L820 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L820 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L820 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-50 Portrait photography advice
30
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
74
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L820 Street photography information
Pentax K-50 Street photography information
38
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than average in class (470 grams)
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
very good high ISO (51,600)
no moving screen
more heavy than others in class (650g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L820
Sports photography with Pentax K-50
36
incredible zoom range (23-675mm 29.3 x zoom)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
terrible battery life (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L820 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Travel photography camera
56
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (23mm)
great zoom (675mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than average in class (470 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
56
environment proofing
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
terrible battery life (410 shots)
more heavy than others in class (650 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L820 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Landscape photography camera
36
reasonably wide (23mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
74
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
terrible battery life (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L820 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-50 Vlogging factors
24
reasonably wide (23mm)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have microphone support
more heavy than average in class (470 grams)
28
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone port
more heavy than others in class (650 grams)
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Nikon L820 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L820 and Pentax K-50
 Nikon Coolpix L820Pentax K-50
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix L820 Pentax K-50
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2013-01-29 2013-11-27
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - PRIME M
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 51600
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 23-675mm (29.3x) -
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.8 -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 470 grams (1.04 lb) 650 grams (1.43 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 76 x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1120
Other
Battery life 320 photographs 410 photographs
Style of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA D-LI109
Self timer - Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $192 $610