Pentax K-50 vs Sony A380
63 Imaging
58 Features
65 Overall
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68 Imaging
53 Features
54 Overall
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Pentax K-50 vs Sony A380 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)

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).

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.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A380 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-50 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A380. The entire galleries are provided at Pentax K-50 Gallery & Sony A380 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Sony A380
K-50 | A380 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | November 2013 | ![]() | August 2009 | Newer by 52 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Pentax K-50
A380 | K-50 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A380 Specifications
Pentax K-50 | Sony 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 |