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Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
64
Imaging
44
Features
39
Overall
42
Nikon D50 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Nikon D50
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 620g - 133 x 102 x 76mm
  • Launched July 2005
  • Newer Model is Nikon D40X
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • Later Model is Pentax K-1 II
Photography Glossary

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Nikon D50 and Pentax K-1, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the resolutions of the D50 (6MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the D50 (APS-C) and K-1 (Full frame) offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The D50 was unveiled 11 years prior to the K-1 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick view of how the D50 grades versus the K-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D50 over the Pentax K-1

 D50 K-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Nikon D50

 K-1 D50 
LaunchedFebruary 2016July 2005More recent by 128 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"2"Larger display (+1.2")
Display resolution1037k130kCrisper display (+907k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D50 and Pentax K-1

 D50 K-1 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D50 provides physical measurements of 133mm x 102mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") and a weight of 620 grams (1.37 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 has dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D50 and Pentax K-1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the D50 vs the K-1.

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D50 and K-1 is 64 and 55 respectively.

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to visualise the difference in sensor measurements simply by looking through specifications. The visual underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the D50 and K-1.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The D50 having a smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-1 will provide you with more detail having an extra 30 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The older D50 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D50 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Portrait photography camera
53
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview
low MP (6 megapixels)
85
manual focus
excellent MP (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D50 Street photography advice
Pentax K-1 Street photography advice
58
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than others (620g)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
70
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
very good high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than competitors in class (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D50 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Sports photography camera
38
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent MP (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second low (4.4 fps)
not so great battery pack (760 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D50 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-1 Travel photography advice
50
lighter than others (620g)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
low MP (6 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
53
weather proofing
excellent MP (36MP)
not so great battery pack (760 shots)
more heavy than competitors in class (1,010g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D50 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography details
46
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2 inches)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
81
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent MP (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (204,800)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
has double storage slots
not so great battery pack (760 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D50
Vlogging with Pentax K-1
9
no video
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone port
does not contain selfie friendly display
more heavy than competitors in class (1,010 grams)
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Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D50 and Pentax K-1
 Nikon D50Pentax K-1
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D50 Pentax K-1
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2005-07-23 2016-02-17
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.5mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 367.4mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 6MP 36MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 3008 x 2000 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 1600 204800
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 33
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 130k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.5x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 11.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/500 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 620 grams (1.37 lbs) 1010 grams (2.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 133 x 102 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 96
DXO Color Depth score 20.9 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score 10.8 14.6
DXO Low light score 560 3280
Other
Battery life - 760 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL3 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots One Dual
Cost at release $499 $1,499