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Pentax K-50 vs Sony A390

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60
Pentax K-50 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A390 Key Specs

Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Older Model is Pentax K-30
Sony A390
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Previous Model is Sony A380
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A390 Overview

The following is a extended analysis of the Pentax K-50 vs Sony A390, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-50 (16MP) and the A390 (14MP) is pretty comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-50 was released 3 years after the A390 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the K-50 scores vs the A390 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Sony A390

 K-50 A390 
RevealedNovember 2013July 2010Newer by 41 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Pentax K-50

 A390 K-50 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax K-50 and Sony A390

 K-50 A390 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-50 provides outside measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) whilst the Sony A390 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-50 vs Sony A390 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the K-50 and the A390.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-50 and A390 is 63 and 66 respectively.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions merely by checking out specifications. The pic below might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-50 and A390.

To sum up, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Pentax K-50 to provide extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern K-50 will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-50 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A390 Portrait photography highlights
74
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
72
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-50 Street photography info
Sony A390 Street photography info
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
very good ISO range (51,600)
screen is fixed
heavier than competition in class (650g)
76
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-50 Sports photography information
Sony A390 Sports photography information
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
not so great battery life (410 CIPA)
60
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-50 Travel photography advice
Sony A390 Travel photography advice
56
weather proof
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
not so great battery life (410 per charge)
heavier than competition in class (650g)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
53
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Timelapse recording
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-50 Landscape photography information
Sony A390 Landscape photography information
74
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
very good ISO range (51,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
not so great battery life (410 shots)
61
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inch)
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-50
Vlogging with Sony A390
28
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have mic port
heavier than competition in class (650g)
9
no video
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Pentax K-50 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-50 and Sony A390
 Pentax K-50Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-50 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-11-27 2010-07-28
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 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 51600 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
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 screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen 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 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated 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
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 650g (1.43 pounds) 549g (1.21 pounds)
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 Overall rating 79 66
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 11.5
DXO Low light rating 1120 607
Other
Battery life 410 pictures 230 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $610 $500