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Pentax K-50 vs Sony A560

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60
Pentax K-50 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 front
Portability
64
Imaging
54
Features
78
Overall
63

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A560 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
  • Announced November 2013
  • Older Model is Pentax K-30
Sony A560
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Introduced August 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A500
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Pentax K-50 vs Sony A560 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Pentax K-50 vs Sony A560, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-50 (16MP) and the A560 (14MP) is very comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-50 was announced 3 years later than the A560 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before going in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the K-50 matches up vs the A560 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Sony A560

 K-50 A560 
IntroducedNovember 2013August 2010Fresher by 40 months

Reasons to pick Sony A560 over the Pentax K-50

 A560 K-50 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k921kClearer display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-50 and Sony A560

 K-50 A560 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A560 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. 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) whilst the Sony A560 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-50 vs Sony A560 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at the time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the K-50 versus the A560.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A560 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-50 and A560 is 63 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A560 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A560 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing merely by seeing specs. The graphic below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the K-50 and A560.

All in all, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Pentax K-50 to provide extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics much more aggressively. The more modern K-50 will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A560 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A560 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A560 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-50 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A560 Portrait photography highlights
74
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
72
manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-50 Street photography advice
Sony A560 Street photography advice
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
great high ISO (51,600)
screen is fixed
heavier than competition (650 grams)
75
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-50
Sports photography with Sony A560
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good battery pack (1,050 CIPA)
comes with phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-50
Travel photography with Sony A560
56
environment sealing
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
heavier than competition (650 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
60
good battery pack (1,050 per charge)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-50 Landscape photography advice
Sony A560 Landscape photography advice
74
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great high ISO (51,600)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
73
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (1,050 shots)
two card slots
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-50 Vlogging info
Sony A560 Vlogging info
28
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have mic support
heavier than competition (650g)
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic socket
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Pentax K-50 vs Sony A560 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-50 and Sony A560
 Pentax K-50Sony Alpha DSLR-A560
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-50 Sony Alpha DSLR-A560
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2013-11-27 2010-08-24
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor PRIME M Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
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 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 15
Cross type focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology 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 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options 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
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180s 1/160s
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650 grams (1.43 lbs) 599 grams (1.32 lbs)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 70
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 12.3
DXO Low light rating 1120 817
Other
Battery life 410 pictures 1050 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 2
Price at release $610 $650