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Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 III

Portability
64
Imaging
44
Features
39
Overall
42
Nikon D50 front
 
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
Portability
58
Imaging
72
Features
86
Overall
77

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 III 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
  • Launched July 2005
  • Later Model is Nikon D40X
Pentax K-3 III
(Full Review)
  • 26MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 820g - 135 x 104 x 74mm
  • Announced March 2021
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Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 III Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 III, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the D50 (6MP) and K-3 III (26MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D50 was released 16 years earlier than the K-3 III which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a short introduction of how the D50 scores vs the K-3 III in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D50 over the Pentax K-3 III

 D50 K-3 III 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Nikon D50

 K-3 III D50 
AnnouncedMarch 2021July 2005More modern by 191 months
Screen sizing3.2"2"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution1620k130kClearer screen (+1490k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon D50 and Pentax K-3 III

 D50 K-3 III 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 III Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon D50 enjoys external dimensions of 133mm x 102mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 620 grams (1.37 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 III has measurements of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") and a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 III in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the D50 versus the K-3 III.

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 III size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the D50 and K-3 III is 64 and 58 respectively.

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 III top view buttons comparison

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 III Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizes simply by researching specifications. The image below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the D50 and K-3 III.

Plainly, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Pentax K-3 III to result in more detail as a result of its extra 20MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged D50 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 III sensor size comparison

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D50
Portrait photography with Pentax K-3 III
53
focusing manually
above average flash sync speed (1/500s)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
83
has manual focus
high megapixels (26MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D50
Street photography with Pentax K-3 III
58
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than average (620g)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
71
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
offers touch to focus
weather proof
good ISO range (1,600,000)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D50 Sports photography info
Pentax K-3 III Sports photography info
38
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high megapixels (26 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low battery life (800 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D50
Travel photography with Pentax K-3 III
50
lighter than average (620 grams)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (6MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
64
weather proof
has bluetooth
offers touch to focus
high megapixels (26MP)
low battery life (800 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D50 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 III as a Landscape photography camera
46
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2 inch)
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
80
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high megapixels (26 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (1,600,000)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
low battery life (800 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D50 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-3 III Vlogging factors
9
no video shooting
35
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external mic jack
screen is not selfie friendly
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Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-3 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D50 and Pentax K-3 III
 Nikon D50Pentax K-3 Mark III
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D50 Pentax K-3 Mark III
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2005-07-23 2021-03-31
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.5mm 23 x 15.5mm
Sensor area 367.4mm² 356.5mm²
Sensor resolution 6MP 26MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 3008 x 2000 6192 x 4128
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600000
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 101
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 309 156
Crop factor 1.5 1.6
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2" 3.2"
Screen resolution 130 thousand dot 1,620 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.5x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 11.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow Auto, Auto + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow- speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution None 3840x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 620g (1.37 lb) 820g (1.81 lb)
Dimensions 133 x 102 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 560 not tested
Other
Battery life - 800 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL3 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1)
Storage slots Single Dual
Launch price $499 $1,999