Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-50

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.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 & Pentax K-50. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS50 Gallery & Pentax K-50 Gallery.

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.

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.

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

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.