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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Released July 2012
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
  • Launched November 2013
  • Old Model is Pentax K-30
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax K-50, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the K-50 (16MP) is fairly similar but the SZ5 (1/2.3") and K-50 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizes.

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The SZ5 was introduced 16 months prior to the K-50 making them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SZ5 grades vs the K-50 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax K-50

 SZ5 K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Panasonic SZ5

 K-50 SZ5 
LaunchedNovember 2013July 2012More modern by 16 months
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-50

 SZ5 K-50 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ5 comes with physical dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-50 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax K-50 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ5 vs the K-50.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SZ5 and K-50 is 95 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to picture the gap between sensor sizes merely by going over a spec sheet. The image below should offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ5 and K-50.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SZ5 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-50 will deliver greater detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged SZ5 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ5
Portrait photography with Pentax K-50
34
resolution is good (14MP)
comes with face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
74
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-50 Street photography highlights
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (136 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
good high ISO (51,600)
screen does not articulate
more heavy than competitors (650g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Sports photography camera
40
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (6.0 fps)
low battery life (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ5
Travel photography with Pentax K-50
70
lighter than average (136 grams)
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
missing Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
56
weather sealing
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
low battery life (410 shots)
more heavy than competitors (650 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography information
42
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Timelapse function
74
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good high ISO (51,600)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
low battery life (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-50 Vlogging highlights
32
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than average (136g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
28
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
no microphone jack
more heavy than competitors (650 grams)
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax K-50
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax K-50
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2012-07-18 2013-11-27
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 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 area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 51600
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Screen LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 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 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 136 gr (0.30 lbs) 650 gr (1.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 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 250 shots 410 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $195 $610