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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax KP

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Pentax KP front
Portability
61
Imaging
67
Features
76
Overall
70

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax KP Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Announced October 2019
Pentax KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Announced January 2017
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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax KP Overview

Let's look much closer at the Nikon Z50 and Pentax KP, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the Z50 (21MP) and the KP (24MP) is relatively similar and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The Z50 was revealed 2 years after the KP which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax KP being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a brief overview of how the Z50 matches up versus the KP in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Pentax KP

 Z50 KP 
AnnouncedOctober 2019January 2017More modern by 33 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k921kSharper screen (+119k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Nikon Z50

 KP Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Pentax KP

 Z50 KP 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax KP Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z50 enjoys external dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") accompanied by a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Pentax KP has proportions of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") along with a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).

Check out the Nikon Z50 and Pentax KP in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the Z50 and the KP.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax KP size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and KP is 74 and 61 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax KP top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax KP Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizes just by reviewing specifications. The picture underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z50 and KP.

To sum up, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can count on the Pentax KP to deliver greater detail because of its extra 3MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The more modern Z50 provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax KP sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax KP Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax KP as a Portrait photography camera
80
has manual focus
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
80
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography advice
Pentax KP Street photography advice
73
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
environment sealing
great ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition (397g)
76
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
great ISO range (819,200)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax KP as a Sports photography camera
75
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/24,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather sealing
terrible battery power (390 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Z50
Travel photography with Pentax KP
77
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
resolution is good (21MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
heavier than competition (397g)
61
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
built-in flash
terrible battery power (390 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography info
Pentax KP Landscape photography info
79
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
lack of image stabilization
77
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great ISO range (819,200)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
terrible battery power (390 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z50
Vlogging with Pentax KP
71
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen
features face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic support
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition (397 grams)
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic support
screen is not selfie friendly
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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax KP Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Pentax KP
 Nikon Z50Pentax KP
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Z50 Pentax KP
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2019-10-10 2017-01-26
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 PRIME IV
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 5568 x 3712 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 51200 819200
Highest boosted ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 209 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 15 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.63x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/24000s
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes - Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 397 gr (0.88 lb) 703 gr (1.55 lb)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 320 photos 390 photos
Form of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 D-LI109
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $857 $747