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Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
33
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Panasonic TS4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
  • Announced January 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FT4
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic TS3
  • Successor is Panasonic TS5
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
  • Introduced November 2013
  • Replaced the Pentax K-30
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Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Panasonic TS4 versus Pentax K-50, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the TS4 (12MP) and K-50 (16MP) and the TS4 (1/2.3") and K-50 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The TS4 was introduced 22 months before the K-50 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic TS4 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summation of how the TS4 grades vs the K-50 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic TS4 over the Pentax K-50

 TS4 K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Panasonic TS4

 K-50 TS4 
IntroducedNovember 2013January 2012Newer by 22 months
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic TS4 and Pentax K-50

 TS4 K-50 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic TS4 features exterior measurements of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") with a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Pentax K-50 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Check the Panasonic TS4 versus Pentax K-50 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the TS4 versus the K-50.

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the TS4 and K-50 is 92 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to envision the difference in sensor dimensions just by viewing a spec sheet. The picture below will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the TS4 and K-50.

As you can see, both of those cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The TS4 having a smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh tougher and the Pentax K-50 will render extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged TS4 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-50 Portrait photography info
21
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-50 Street photography highlights
61
image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
great ISO range (51,600)
no articulating screen
heavier than competition in class (650 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Sports photography features
Pentax K-50 Sports photography features
38
image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
environment sealing
good battery (310 per charge)
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300s)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
low battery life (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Travel photography features
Pentax K-50 Travel photography features
66
good battery (310 per charge)
environment sealing
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
56
weather proofing
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
low battery life (410 per charge)
heavier than competition in class (650g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic TS4
Landscape photography with Pentax K-50
41
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
good battery (310 shots)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
74
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
low battery life (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-50 Vlogging highlights
32
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic jack
28
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic support
heavier than competition in class (650g)
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Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic TS4 and Pentax K-50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4Pentax K-50
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 Pentax K-50
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-FT4 -
Type Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2012-01-31 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 51600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 23 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 28-128mm (4.6x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1300s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 197 grams (0.43 lb) 650 grams (1.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 310 shots 410 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $399 $610