Clicky

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Announced October 2019
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Revealed December 2009
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Nikon Z50 versus Pentax K-x, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Nikon and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and K-x (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The Z50 was manufactured 9 years after the K-x which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the Z50 grades vs the K-x in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Pentax K-x

 Z50 K-x 
RevealedOctober 2019December 2009More modern by 120 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1040k230kClearer display (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Nikon Z50

 K-x Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Pentax K-x

 Z50 K-x 
Focus manually More accurate focusing

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z50 offers outside dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") and a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Pentax K-x has dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Check out the Nikon Z50 versus Pentax K-x in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the Z50 and the K-x.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and K-x is 74 and 69 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizes simply by checking specs. The image underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z50 and K-x.

All in all, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Nikon Z50 to resolve extra detail due to its extra 9MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The younger Z50 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-x Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z50
Portrait photography with Pentax K-x
80
you can focus manually
good resolution (21MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Z50
Street photography with Pentax K-x
73
screen tilts
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
provides focus via touch
environment proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (397g)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 Sports photography details
Pentax K-x Sports photography details
75
good resolution (21 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
no image stabilization
61
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery pack (1,900 CIPA)
supports phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12MP)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography information
Pentax K-x Travel photography information
77
environment proof
supports bluetooth
provides focus via touch
good resolution (21MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
more heavy than others in class (397 grams)
54
good battery pack (1,900 CIPA)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-x Landscape photography highlights
79
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
good resolution (21 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
no image stabilization
61
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (1,900 per charge)
small screen (2.7 inches)
resolution not great (12MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z50
Vlogging with Pentax K-x
71
display is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
features face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have microphone port
no image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (397g)
27
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic support
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Pentax K-x
 Nikon Z50Pentax K-x
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Z50 Pentax K-x
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2019-10-10 2009-12-23
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 6 Prime
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 12MP
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 6400
Max enhanced ISO 204800 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 209 11
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 15 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3.2" 2.7"
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 16.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 397 gr (0.88 lbs) 580 gr (1.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 811
Other
Battery life 320 shots 1900 shots
Battery style Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC card
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $857 $600