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Pentax K-50 vs Sony A290

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60
Pentax K-50 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced November 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-30
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Previous Model is Sony A230
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Pentax K-50 vs Sony A290 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Pentax K-50 versus Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-50 (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is fairly close and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-50 was announced 3 years after the A290 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the K-50 grades versus the A290 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Sony A290

 K-50 A290 
RevealedNovember 2013June 2010Newer by 43 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Pentax K-50

 A290 K-50 

Common features in the Pentax K-50 and Sony A290

 K-50 A290 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-50 offers exterior 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 Sony A290 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-50 versus Sony A290 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the K-50 compared to the A290.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-50 and A290 is 63 and 66 respectively.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions simply by looking through specs. The image here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the K-50 and A290.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Pentax K-50 to render greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The newer K-50 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-50 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A290 as a Portrait photography camera
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
65
focusing manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-50
Street photography with Sony A290
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
very good ISO range (51,600)
screen does not articulate
more heavy than average (650 grams)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-50 Sports photography information
Sony A290 Sports photography information
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proof
supports phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
bad battery (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-50 Travel photography features
Sony A290 Travel photography features
56
weather proof
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
more heavy than average (650 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
53
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery (290 per charge)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-50 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A290 Landscape photography highlights
74
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good ISO range (51,600)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
not so great battery pack (410 per charge)
58
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no liveview feature
bad battery (290 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-50
Vlogging with Sony A290
28
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
more heavy than average (650 grams)
9
no video shooting
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Pentax K-50 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-50 and Sony A290
 Pentax K-50Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-50 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-11-27 2010-06-09
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME M Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 51600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/160 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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650 gr (1.43 lb) 549 gr (1.21 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 66
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 11.5
DXO Low light rating 1120 615
Other
Battery life 410 shots 290 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Retail price $610 $600