Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-50
59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73
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63 Imaging
58 Features
65 Overall
60
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
- Introduced April 2014
- Newer Model is Pentax K-3 II
(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
- Announced November 2013
- Old Model is Pentax K-30
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-50 Overview
Following is a complete analysis of the Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-50, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are built by Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and K-50 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).
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The K-3 was revealed 5 months after the K-50 and they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summation of how the K-3 scores vs the K-50 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-50 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-50. The full galleries are available at Pentax K-3 Gallery and Pentax K-50 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax K-50
K-3 | K-50 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 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-3
K-50 | K-3 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-50
K-3 | K-50 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | April 2014 | ![]() | November 2013 | Same generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 has outer dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Pentax K-50 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).
Look at the Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-50 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the K-3 against the K-50.
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Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the K-3 and K-50 is 59 and 63 respectively.
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes just by checking out a spec sheet. The picture below might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-3 and K-50.
Clearly, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should expect the Pentax K-3 to provide greater detail because of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs far more aggressively.
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications
Pentax K-3 | Pentax K-50 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Pentax |
Model | Pentax K-3 | Pentax K-50 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2014-04-10 | 2013-11-27 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Prime III | PRIME M |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 366.6mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Highest resolution | 6016 x 4000 | 4928 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 51200 | 51600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 27 | 11 |
Cross focus points | 25 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Pentax KAF2 | Pentax KAF2 |
Number of lenses | 151 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3.2 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 1,037 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD monitor | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/6000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 8.0 frames per second | 6.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/180s | 1/180s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) | 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 800 grams (1.76 lbs) | 650 grams (1.43 lbs) |
Dimensions | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 80 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.7 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 13.4 | 13.0 |
DXO Low light score | 1216 | 1120 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 560 shots | 410 shots |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI90 | D-LI109 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Dual | Single |
Price at launch | $639 | $610 |