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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-r Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Introduced October 2019
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Revealed March 2011
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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-r Overview

The following is a in-depth review of the Nikon Z50 versus Pentax K-r, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and K-r (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The Z50 was released 8 years after the K-r which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the Z50 matches up vs the K-r in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Pentax K-r

 Z50 K-r 
RevealedOctober 2019March 2011Newer by 105 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k921kClearer display (+119k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Nikon Z50

 K-r Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Pentax K-r

 Z50 K-r 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z50 has got exterior dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") having a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-r has proportions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check out the Nikon Z50 versus Pentax K-r in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the Z50 vs the K-r.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and K-r is 74 and 67 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching specifications. The pic underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z50 and K-r.

Plainly, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Nikon Z50 to provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 9MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more modern Z50 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Portrait photography camera
80
has manual focus
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography features
Pentax K-r Street photography features
73
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
comes with touch focus
weather proof
above average high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (397g)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z50
Sports photography with Pentax K-r
75
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
55
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (470 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-r Travel photography highlights
77
weather proof
has bluetooth
comes with touch focus
megapixel count good (21MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
more heavy than others in class (397g)
47
flash built-in
terrible battery life (470 shots)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Landscape photography camera
79
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
no image stabilization
65
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
terrible battery life (470 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging information
Pentax K-r Vlogging information
71
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
provides face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external microphone socket
no image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (397 grams)
26
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Pentax K-r
 Nikon Z50Pentax K-r
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Z50 Pentax K-r
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2019-10-10 2011-03-11
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 Prime II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 5568 x 3712 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 51200 12800
Max enhanced ISO 204800 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 209 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 15 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 11.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings - Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
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 PCM 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 397 gr (0.88 lb) 598 gr (1.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 755
Other
Battery life 320 photos 470 photos
Form of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Price at release $857 $1,100