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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Panasonic L1
(Full Review)
  • 7MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 606g - 146 x 87 x 77mm
  • Launched April 2007
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released November 2013
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-30
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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

The following is a extended overview of the Panasonic L1 versus Pentax K-50, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the L1 (7MP) and K-50 (16MP) and the L1 (Four Thirds) and K-50 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The L1 was revealed 7 years before the K-50 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic L1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going right into a full comparison, here is a short summary of how the L1 grades against the K-50 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic L1 over the Pentax K-50

 L1 K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Panasonic L1

 K-50 L1 
ReleasedNovember 2013April 2007Newer by 80 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k207kClearer display (+714k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic L1 and Pentax K-50

 L1 K-50 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic L1 comes with outer dimensions of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") along with a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs) while the Pentax K-50 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic L1 versus Pentax K-50 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at that moment. Below is a front view scale comparison of the L1 compared to the K-50.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the L1 and K-50 is 65 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions just by checking out a spec sheet. The picture below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the L1 and K-50.

As you can see, both the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The L1 using its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Pentax K-50 will produce greater detail because of its extra 9 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged L1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic L1 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-50 Portrait photography information
54
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (7 megapixels)
74
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic L1
Street photography with Pentax K-50
58
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (606g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
above average high ISO (51,600)
screen is fixed
heavier than others (650 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic L1
Sports photography with Pentax K-50
40
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (7 megapixels)
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
not so great battery pack (410 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic L1 Travel photography details
Pentax K-50 Travel photography details
50
lighter than competition in class (606 grams)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (7MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
56
environment sealing
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
heavier than others (650g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic L1 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography details
47
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.5")
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (7MP)
lack of Timelapse function
74
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average high ISO (51,600)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic L1 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-50 Vlogging advice
9
lack of video recording
28
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic socket
heavier than others (650 grams)
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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic L1 and Pentax K-50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1Pentax K-50
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Pentax K-50
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2007-04-11 2013-11-27
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 7MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 3136 x 2352 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 51600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 3 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 207 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 606g (1.34 lb) 650g (1.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") 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 - 410 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $1,500 $610