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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K20D 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
  • Launched October 2019
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Introduced June 2008
  • Superseded the Pentax K10D
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K20D Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Nikon Z50 and Pentax K20D, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and K20D (15MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The Z50 was manufactured 11 years later than the K20D and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the Z50 grades against the K20D with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Pentax K20D

 Z50 K20D 
IntroducedOctober 2019June 2008Fresher by 138 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1040k230kClearer display (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Nikon Z50

 K20D Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Pentax K20D

 Z50 K20D 
Manually focus More accurate focusing

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z50 provides physical dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") having a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Pentax K20D has proportions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Examine the Nikon Z50 and Pentax K20D in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the Z50 compared to the K20D.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the Z50 and K20D is 74 and 59 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reading through specs. The photograph here may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z50 and K20D.

All in all, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Nikon Z50 to give more detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos far more aggressively. The younger Z50 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography details
Pentax K20D Portrait photography details
80
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW formats
71
has manual focus
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography info
Pentax K20D Street photography info
73
tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
has focus by touch
weather proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (397g)
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 Sports photography details
Pentax K20D Sports photography details
75
megapixel count decent (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
weather proof
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography info
Pentax K20D Travel photography info
77
weather proofing
has bluetooth
has focus by touch
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
more heavy than others in class (397 grams)
64
weather proof
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography information
Pentax K20D Landscape photography information
79
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
no image stabilization
70
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging features
Pentax K20D Vlogging features
71
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has microphone port
no image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (397g)
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Pentax K20D
 Nikon Z50Pentax K20D
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Z50 Pentax K20D
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2019-10-10 2008-06-25
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 5568 x 3712 4672 x 3104
Highest native ISO 51200 3200
Highest boosted ISO 204800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 209 11
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 15 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 11.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes - Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180 secs
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 -
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 397 grams (0.88 lb) 800 grams (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 65
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 639
Other
Battery life 320 photographs -
Style of battery Built-in -
Battery ID EN-EL25 D-LI50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $857 $700