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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Released January 2015
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS45
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS60
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
  • Announced November 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-30
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax K-50, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the ZS50 (12MP) and K-50 (16MP) and the ZS50 (1/2.3") and K-50 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The ZS50 was brought out 14 months later than the K-50 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summary of how the ZS50 grades versus the K-50 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Pentax K-50

 ZS50 K-50 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015November 2013More recent by 14 months
Screen resolution1040k921kClearer screen (+119k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Panasonic ZS50

 K-50 ZS50 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax K-50

 ZS50 K-50 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS50 comes with outer measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst 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).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax K-50 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the ZS50 against the K-50.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS50 and K-50 is 90 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to picture the difference in sensor measurements only by looking through a spec sheet. The photograph below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS50 and K-50.

As you can see, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The ZS50 due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-50 will render more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The fresher ZS50 should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-50 Portrait photography details
42
has manual focus
supports face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
74
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Street photography camera
68
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (243g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
very good ISO range (51,600)
no moving screen
more heavy than competitors in class (650 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-50 Sports photography highlights
43
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
bad battery (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Travel photography camera
66
lighter than competition in class (243 grams)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
56
environment sealing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
bad battery (410 shots)
more heavy than competitors in class (650 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography features
51
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
74
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
very good ISO range (51,600)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
bad battery (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging features
Pentax K-50 Vlogging features
34
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (243g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone port
28
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone port
more heavy than competitors in class (650g)
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax K-50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50Pentax K-50
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Pentax K-50
Other name Lumix DMC-TZ70 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2015-01-06 2013-11-27
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 51600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,166k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 243g (0.54 lb) 650g (1.43 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 44 79
DXO Color Depth rating 20.0 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 13.0
DXO Low light rating 138 1120
Other
Battery life 300 shots 410 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch price $350 $610