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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Pentax K-1
(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
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
  • Introduced November 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-30
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

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.

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Pentax K-50

 K-1 K-50 
IntroducedFebruary 2016November 2013Newer by 28 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kClearer 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-50 Portrait photography information
85
has manual focus
sensor resolution is great (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW formats
74
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 Street photography features
Pentax K-50 Street photography features
70
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
very good high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than others (1,010g)
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
great ISO range (51,600)
no moving screen
heavier than others (650g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 Sports photography details
Pentax K-50 Sports photography details
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is great (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps low (4.4 frames per second)
bad battery pack (760 per charge)
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
low frames per second (6.0 fps)
low battery (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Travel photography camera
53
environment proofing
sensor resolution is great (36MP)
bad battery pack (760 shots)
more heavy than others (1,010g)
screen is not selfie friendly
56
weather proofing
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
low battery (410 shots)
heavier than others (650 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Landscape photography camera
81
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is great (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (204,800)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
bad battery pack (760 shots)
74
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,600)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
low battery (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 Vlogging info
Pentax K-50 Vlogging info
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone port
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than others (1,010g)
28
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic support
heavier than others (650g)
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-50
 Pentax K-1Pentax 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