Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-50
55 Imaging
75 Features
82 Overall
77
63 Imaging
57 Features
65 Overall
60
Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 204800
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
- Introduced February 2016
- Successor is Pentax K-1 II
(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
- Introduced November 2013
- Superseded the Pentax K-30
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Let's look a bit more closely at the Pentax K-1 versus Pentax K-50, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are manufactured by Pentax. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and K-50 (16MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and K-50 (APS-C) have different sensor sizes.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe K-1 was announced 2 years after the K-50 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go into a full comparison, here is a brief summation of how the K-1 scores against the K-50 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Photography Glossary Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-50 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-1 & Pentax K-50. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax K-1 Gallery & Pentax K-50 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Pentax K-50
| K-1 | K-50 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | February 2016 | November 2013 | Newer by 28 months | |
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen | |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") | |
| Screen resolution | 1037k | 921k | Clearer screen (+116k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Pentax K-1
| K-50 | K-1 |
|---|
Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-50
| K-1 | K-50 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Very accurate focus | |||
| Selfie screen | No selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Neither provides Touch friendly screen |
Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax K-1 provides outer measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) and the Pentax K-50 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).
See the Pentax K-1 versus Pentax K-50 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached at the time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the K-1 and the K-50.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the K-1 and K-50 is 55 and 63 respectively.
Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very tough to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by going over specs. The pic underneath might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-1 and K-50.
All in all, the 2 cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The K-1 with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Pentax K-1 will deliver extra detail with its extra 20 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The fresher K-1 provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.
Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications
| Pentax K-1 | Pentax K-50 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Pentax | Pentax |
| Model | Pentax K-1 | Pentax K-50 |
| Type | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Introduced | 2016-02-17 | 2013-11-27 |
| Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | - | PRIME M |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 35.9 x 24mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
| Sensor area | 861.6mm² | 372.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 36MP | 16MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
| Maximum resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 4928 x 3264 |
| Maximum native ISO | 204800 | 51600 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection AF | ||
| Contract detection AF | ||
| Phase detection AF | ||
| Number of focus points | 33 | 11 |
| Cross focus points | 25 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | Pentax KAF2 |
| Total lenses | 151 | 151 |
| Crop factor | 1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3" |
| Resolution of screen | 1,037k dots | 921k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Screen technology | - | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | 0.61x |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/6000s |
| Continuous shooting rate | 4.4 frames/s | 6.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash modes | Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | 1/200s | 1/180s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) | 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 format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | Built-in | Optional |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 1010 grams (2.23 lb) | 650 grams (1.43 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | 96 | 79 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 25.4 | 23.7 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 14.6 | 13.0 |
| DXO Low light score | 3280 | 1120 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 760 photos | 410 photos |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | D-LI90 | D-LI109 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Card slots | 2 | One |
| Cost at launch | $1,499 | $610 |