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Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60
Pentax K-50 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs

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
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-30
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Released August 2014
  • Updated by Pentax K-S2
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Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

Following is a in depth assessment of the Pentax K-50 and Pentax K-S1, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Advanced DSLR and both of them are sold by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the K-50 (16MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is pretty comparable and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-50 was introduced 9 months before the K-S1 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the K-50 matches up against the K-S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Pentax K-S1

 K-50 K-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Pentax K-50

 K-S1 K-50 
ReleasedAugust 2014November 2013More modern by 9 months

Common features in the Pentax K-50 and Pentax K-S1

 K-50 K-S1 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution921k921kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Pentax K-50 has got physical dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) and the Pentax K-S1 has specifications of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-50 and Pentax K-S1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the K-50 and the K-S1.

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the K-50 and K-S1 is 63 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to see the difference in sensor sizes purely by seeing a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-50 and K-S1.

Clearly, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Pentax K-S1 to provide extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged K-50 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-50
Portrait photography with Pentax K-S1
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW files
77
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-50 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
good ISO range (51,600)
fixed screen
heavier than competition (650 grams)
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than average in class (558g)
great high ISO (51,200)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-50 Sports photography information
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography information
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (6.0 fps)
not so great battery (410 per charge)
69
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (5.4 frames/s)
not so great battery (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-50 Travel photography features
Pentax K-S1 Travel photography features
56
environment proof
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
not so great battery (410 per charge)
heavier than competition (650 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than average in class (558 grams)
good megapixels (20MP)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
not so great battery (410 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-50 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
74
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (51,600)
saves RAW files
environment proof
not so great battery (410 CIPA)
73
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
great high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
not so great battery (410 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-50
Vlogging with Pentax K-S1
28
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external mic jack
heavier than competition (650g)
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (558g)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone support
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Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-50 and Pentax K-S1
 Pentax K-50Pentax K-S1
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-50 Pentax K-S1
Category Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2013-11-27 2014-08-27
Physical type Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME M Prime MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 51600 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech 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 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650 gr (1.43 lbs) 558 gr (1.23 lbs)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 78
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 13.0
DXO Low light rating 1120 1061
Other
Battery life 410 images 410 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 D-LI109
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at launch $610 $339