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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Launched October 2019
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced October 2012
  • Replacement is Pentax K-50
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Nikon Z50 versus Pentax K-30, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Nikon and Pentax. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and K-30 (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The Z50 was released 7 years after the K-30 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the Z50 matches up versus the K-30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Pentax K-30

 Z50 K-30 
AnnouncedOctober 2019October 2012Newer by 85 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k921kSharper screen (+119k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Nikon Z50

 K-30 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Pentax K-30

 Z50 K-30 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and size. The Nikon Z50 provides physical dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") along with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) while the Pentax K-30 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon Z50 versus Pentax K-30 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at that moment. Below is the front view size comparison of the Z50 compared to the K-30.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the Z50 and K-30 is 74 and 63 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to see the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reading through specifications. The image here may offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z50 and K-30.

Plainly, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Nikon Z50 to give more detail as a result of its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The younger Z50 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography highlights
80
manual focus
good MP (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
74
has manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Z50
Street photography with Pentax K-30
73
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
features focus via touch
environment sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition (397 grams)
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z50
Sports photography with Pentax K-30
75
good MP (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography info
Pentax K-30 Travel photography info
77
environment sealing
has bluetooth
features focus via touch
good MP (21MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (397g)
60
weather sealing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
not so great battery pack (410 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography factors
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a good size (3.2")
good MP (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
lack of image stabilization
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging info
Pentax K-30 Vlogging info
71
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
has face detect autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with microphone jack
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition (397 grams)
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone socket
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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Pentax K-30
 Nikon Z50Pentax K-30
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Z50 Pentax K-30
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2019-10-10 2012-10-29
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 Prime M
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 5568 x 3712 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 51200 12800
Max enhanced ISO 204800 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 209 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 15 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 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 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 397 grams (0.88 lb) 650 grams (1.43 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 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 1129
Other
Battery life 320 photographs 410 photographs
Battery type Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $857 $525