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Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Panasonic LS5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 97 x 62 x 27mm
  • Introduced July 2011
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Old Model is Pentax K-30
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Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

Following is a in-depth review of the Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax K-50, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the LS5 (14MP) and the K-50 (16MP) is pretty similar but the LS5 (1/2.3") and K-50 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The LS5 was introduced 3 years earlier than the K-50 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic LS5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the LS5 matches up versus the K-50 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Pentax K-50

 LS5 K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Panasonic LS5

 K-50 LS5 
ReleasedNovember 2013July 2011More modern by 28 months
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LS5 and Pentax K-50

 LS5 K-50 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic LS5 provides physical measurements of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Pentax K-50 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax K-50 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the LS5 compared to the K-50.

Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the LS5 and K-50 is 94 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to see the difference between sensor sizes merely by reading technical specs. The image here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the LS5 and K-50.

As you have seen, both of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The LS5 having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Pentax K-50 will deliver more detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged LS5 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LS5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Portrait photography camera
33
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
74
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Street photography info
Pentax K-50 Street photography info
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (126g)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
above average ISO range (51,600)
no articulating screen
more heavy than others (650g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-50 Sports photography highlights
32
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (160 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
not so great battery power (410 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Travel photography info
Pentax K-50 Travel photography info
65
lighter than others in class (126 grams)
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (160 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
56
weather proof
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
not so great battery power (410 shots)
more heavy than others (650g)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic LS5
Landscape photography with Pentax K-50
36
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery pack (160 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
74
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,600)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
not so great battery power (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Vlogging info
Pentax K-50 Vlogging info
32
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than others in class (126 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
28
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
no microphone socket
more heavy than others (650g)
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Panasonic LS5 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LS5 and Pentax K-50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5Pentax K-50
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 Pentax K-50
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-07-21 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 51600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-6.5 -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.60 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126 gr (0.28 lb) 650 gr (1.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1120
Other
Battery life 160 shots 410 shots
Style of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $294 $610