Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax K-50

In this article, we will be evaluating the Olympus XZ-1 and Pentax K-50, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the XZ-1 (10MP) and K-50 (16MP) and the XZ-1 (1/1.63") and K-50 (APS-C) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The XZ-1 was brought out 3 years before the K-50 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus XZ-1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a concise summation of how the XZ-1 grades vs the K-50 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus XZ-1 & Pentax K-50. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus XZ-1 Gallery & Pentax K-50 Gallery.

For anyone who is going to carry your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus XZ-1 has got outside dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs) and the Pentax K-50 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus XZ-1 and Pentax K-50 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the XZ-1 and the K-50.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the XZ-1 and K-50 is 88 and 63 respectively.

Usually, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor sizing just by researching technical specs. The photograph here should provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the XZ-1 and K-50.

As you can tell, both cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The XZ-1 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-50 will result in extra detail having its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older XZ-1 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.