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Pentax K-50 vs Sony A380

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60
Pentax K-50 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A380 Key Specs

Pentax K-50
(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
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-30
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Previous Model is Sony A350
  • New Model is Sony A390
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Pentax K-50 vs Sony A380 Overview

The following is a comprehensive review of the Pentax K-50 vs Sony A380, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-50 (16MP) and the A380 (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-50 was manufactured 4 years after the A380 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the K-50 scores versus the A380 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Sony A380

 K-50 A380 
IntroducedNovember 2013August 2009Newer by 52 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Pentax K-50

 A380 K-50 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax K-50 and Sony A380

 K-50 A380 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-50 comes with outer 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 Sony A380 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-50 vs Sony A380 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the K-50 compared to the A380.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-50 and A380 is 63 and 68 respectively.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to picture the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reading technical specs. The picture underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-50 and A380.

As you can tell, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Pentax K-50 to offer you more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The newer K-50 provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-50 Portrait photography details
Sony A380 Portrait photography details
74
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
71
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-50
Street photography with Sony A380
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
above average ISO range (51,600)
screen is fixed
more heavy than competitors (650 grams)
76
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-50
Sports photography with Sony A380
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery (410 shots)
59
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
low battery power (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-50 Travel photography information
Sony A380 Travel photography information
56
environment proof
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
terrible battery (410 shots)
more heavy than competitors (650 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
53
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery power (500 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-50
Landscape photography with Sony A380
74
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
terrible battery (410 per charge)
61
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
low battery power (500 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-50 Vlogging advice
Sony A380 Vlogging advice
28
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
no microphone socket
more heavy than competitors (650 grams)
9
no video shooting
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Pentax K-50 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-50 and Sony A380
 Pentax K-50Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-50 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2013-11-27 2009-08-24
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip PRIME M Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 51600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.49x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
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, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650 grams (1.43 pounds) 519 grams (1.14 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 67
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 11.8
DXO Low light rating 1120 614
Other
Battery life 410 images 500 images
Style 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
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Launch cost $610 $899