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Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
67
Imaging
64
Features
63
Overall
63
Nikon D3200 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Nikon D3200
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 125 x 96 x 77mm
  • Announced July 2012
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D3100
  • Successor is Nikon D3300
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced November 2013
  • Replaced the Pentax K-30
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Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Nikon D3200 versus Pentax K-50, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the D3200 (24MP) and K-50 (16MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor size (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The D3200 was revealed 16 months before the K-50 making them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the D3200 matches up vs the K-50 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3200 over the Pentax K-50

 D3200 K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Nikon D3200

 K-50 D3200 
AnnouncedNovember 2013July 2012More modern by 16 months

Common features in the Nikon D3200 and Pentax K-50

 D3200 K-50 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Display resolution921k921kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon D3200 enjoys exterior measurements of 125mm x 96mm x 77mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") having a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) and the Pentax K-50 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D3200 versus Pentax K-50 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the D3200 versus the K-50.

Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the D3200 and K-50 is 67 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes just by reading through a spec sheet. The image underneath should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the D3200 and K-50.

Clearly, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Nikon D3200 to give you greater detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged D3200 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D3200
Portrait photography with Pentax K-50
78
has manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW formats
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3200 Street photography details
Pentax K-50 Street photography details
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
no image stabilization
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
above average ISO range (51,600)
screen is fixed
more heavy than competition in class (650g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3200 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Sports photography camera
65
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
not so great battery pack (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3200 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Travel photography camera
59
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
56
environment sealing
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
more heavy than competition in class (650g)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3200 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography advice
69
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse recording
74
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,600)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3200 Vlogging info
Pentax K-50 Vlogging info
27
provides face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing external microphone port
28
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (650 grams)
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Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3200 and Pentax K-50
 Nikon D3200Pentax K-50
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D3200 Pentax K-50
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2012-07-25 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 3 PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.2 x 15.4mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 357.3mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 6016 x 4000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 51600
Max enhanced ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 1 9
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD with 160� viewing angle TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 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 format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 505 grams (1.11 lb) 650 grams (1.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 125 x 96 x 77mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 81 79
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.2 13.0
DXO Low light rating 1131 1120
Other
Battery life 540 photos 410 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14 D-LI109
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $530 $610