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Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
64
Imaging
44
Features
39
Overall
42
Nikon D50 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Nikon D50
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 620g - 133 x 102 x 76mm
  • Announced July 2005
  • Newer Model is Nikon D40X
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Revealed April 2014
  • New Model is Pentax K-3 II
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Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Here is a comprehensive analysis of the Nikon D50 versus Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the D50 (6MP) and K-3 (24MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor size (APS-C).

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The D50 was announced 9 years earlier than the K-3 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summation of how the D50 grades vs the K-3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D50 over the Pentax K-3

 D50 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Nikon D50

 K-3 D50 
RevealedApril 2014July 2005Fresher by 106 months
Display size3.2"2"Larger display (+1.2")
Display resolution1037k130kSharper display (+907k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D50 and Pentax K-3

 D50 K-3 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera often, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D50 has got outside dimensions of 133mm x 102mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") along with a weight of 620 grams (1.37 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D50 versus Pentax K-3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the D50 against the K-3.

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D50 and K-3 is 64 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing simply by researching a spec sheet. The graphic below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the D50 and K-3.

Clearly, both cameras come with the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Pentax K-3 to provide you with greater detail with its extra 18MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The older D50 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D50
Portrait photography with Pentax K-3
53
manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
low megapixels (6MP)
79
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D50 Street photography factors
Pentax K-3 Street photography factors
58
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others (620 grams)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
great ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D50
Sports photography with Pentax K-3
38
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
not so great battery (560 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D50 Travel photography information
Pentax K-3 Travel photography information
50
lighter than others (620 grams)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
60
environment proofing
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
not so great battery (560 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D50 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Landscape photography camera
46
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2 inches)
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (6MP)
no Time Lapse function
78
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
great ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
2 card slots
not so great battery (560 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D50 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-3 Vlogging advice
9
can't record video
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic support
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D50 and Pentax K-3
 Nikon D50Pentax K-3
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D50 Pentax K-3
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2005-07-23 2014-04-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime III
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.5mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 367.4mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 3008 x 2000 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 1600 51200
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2" 3.2"
Screen resolution 130k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.5x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 8.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 11.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/500s 1/180s
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, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 620 gr (1.37 lbs) 800 gr (1.76 lbs)
Physical dimensions 133 x 102 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 80
DXO Color Depth rating 20.9 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 13.4
DXO Low light rating 560 1216
Other
Battery life - 560 shots
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL3 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One 2
Launch pricing $499 $639