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Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
59
Imaging
37
Features
73
Overall
51
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 691g - 132 x 92 x 117mm
  • Announced July 2015
  • Replaced the Panasonic FZ200
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released November 2013
  • Older Model is Pentax K-30
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Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-50, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the FZ300 (12MP) and K-50 (16MP) and the FZ300 (1/2.3") and K-50 (APS-C) have different sensor size.

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The FZ300 was unveiled 20 months later than the K-50 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FZ300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise view of how the FZ300 matches up vs the K-50 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ300 over the Pentax K-50

 FZ300 K-50 
ReleasedJuly 2015November 2013Fresher by 20 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k921kCrisper screen (+119k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Panasonic FZ300

 K-50 FZ300 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ300 and Pentax K-50

 FZ300 K-50 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic FZ300 offers external dimensions of 132mm x 92mm x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") with a weight of 691 grams (1.52 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-50 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-50 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is a front view size comparison of the FZ300 versus the K-50.

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FZ300 and K-50 is 59 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing simply by checking specs. The graphic below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the FZ300 and K-50.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The FZ300 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-50 will resolve greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures more aggressively. The fresher FZ300 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-50 Portrait photography info
46
has manual focus
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
74
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FZ300
Street photography with Pentax K-50
59
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
provides focus via touch
weather proofing
small sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than average (691g)
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
good high ISO (51,600)
screen does not articulate
heavier than competitors in class (650g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 Sports photography details
Pentax K-50 Sports photography details
51
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
great max shutter speed (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery (380 shots)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames per second)
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FZ300
Travel photography with Pentax K-50
59
good battery (380 shots)
weather proofing
provides focus via touch
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
more heavy than average (691g)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
56
weather proof
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
heavier than competitors in class (650 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography details
52
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
good battery (380 shots)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
74
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good high ISO (51,600)
supports RAW files
weather proof
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-50 Vlogging factors
62
reasonably wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have microphone support
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than average (691 grams)
28
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (650 grams)
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Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ300 and Pentax K-50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300Pentax K-50
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Pentax K-50
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2015-07-16 2013-11-27
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 51600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 49 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/16000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.80 m (at Auto ISO) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD 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 Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 691 gr (1.52 lbs) 650 gr (1.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 132 x 92 x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1120
Other
Battery life 380 pictures 410 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $598 $610