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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61
Pentax K-30 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched October 2012
  • New Model is Pentax K-50
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Old Model is Pentax K-30
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-50, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are offered by Pentax. The image resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the K-50 (16MP) is very close and they use the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-30 was released 13 months earlier than the K-50 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a quick summary of how the K-30 scores against the K-50 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax K-50

 K-30 K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Pentax K-30

 K-50 K-30 
IntroducedNovember 2013October 2012More modern by 13 months

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-50

 K-30 K-50 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Display resolution921k921kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-30 provides outside dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) while the Pentax K-50 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-50 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the K-30 versus the K-50.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-30 and K-50 is 63 and 63 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes just by viewing specs. The image here may give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-30 and K-50.

All in all, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of images though you should really take the age of the cameras into account. The more aged K-30 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-50 Portrait photography advice
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW files
74
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Street photography camera
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
fixed screen
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
above average high ISO (51,600)
no moving screen
more heavy than competition in class (650 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 Sports photography info
Pentax K-50 Sports photography info
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
slow frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
low battery (410 per charge)
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
bad battery pack (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-50 Travel photography factors
60
environment proofing
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
low battery (410 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
56
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
bad battery pack (410 shots)
more heavy than competition in class (650 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Landscape photography camera
73
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
low battery (410 per charge)
74
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (51,600)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
bad battery pack (410 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-50 as a Vlogging camera
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone support
28
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (650 grams)
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-50
 Pentax K-30Pentax K-50
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-30 Pentax K-50
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2012-10-29 2013-11-27
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime M PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12800 51600
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
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 11 11
Cross focus points 9 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 size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) 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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650 gr (1.43 lbs) 650 gr (1.43 lbs)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 79 79
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 13.0
DXO Low light score 1129 1120
Other
Battery life 410 images 410 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA D-LI109
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $525 $610