Pentax K-50 vs Sony A580
Portability
63 Imaging
58 Features
65 Overall
60
63 Imaging
58 Features
65 Overall
60
Portability
64 Imaging
57 Features
82 Overall
67
64 Imaging
57 Features
82 Overall
67
Pentax K-50 vs Sony A580 Key Specs
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
(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 A580
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Introduced May 2011
- Superseded the Sony A100
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The following is a detailed comparison of the Pentax K-50 and Sony A580, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-50 (16MP) and the A580 (16MP) is relatively close and they come with the same exact sensor size (APS-C).
Photography GlossaryThe K-50 was released 2 years after the A580 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the K-50 matches up versus the A580 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-50 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A580. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax K-50 Gallery & Sony A580 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Sony A580
| K-50 | A580 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | November 2013 |  | May 2011 | Newer by 31 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Pentax K-50
| A580 | K-50 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
| Screen resolution | 922k |  | 921k | Clearer screen (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax K-50 and Sony A580
| K-50 | A580 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | Very exact focusing | ||
| Screen sizing | 3" |  | 3" | Equivalent screen size |
| Selfie screen |  | Missing selfie screen | ||
| Touch friendly screen |  | Neither offers Touch friendly screen |
Pentax K-50 vs Sony A580 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and size. The Pentax K-50 offers outer dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) while the Sony A580 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).
Compare the Pentax K-50 and Sony A580 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the K-50 versus the A580.
Considering size and weight, the portability score of the K-50 and A580 is 63 and 64 respectively.
Pentax K-50 vs Sony A580 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by viewing specs. The picture below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-50 and A580.
All in all, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same resolution so you can expect comparable quality of photos though you need to take the launch date of the cameras into account. The more modern K-50 provides an edge in sensor technology.
Pentax K-50 vs Sony A580 Screen and ViewFinder
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Portrait Comparison
Pentax K-50 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A580 as a Portrait photography camera
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Pentax K-50 Street photography factors
Sony A580 Street photography factors
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
great ISO range (51,600)
screen does not articulate
heavier than competition (650g)
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports photography with Pentax K-50
Sports photography with Sony A580
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
supports phase detect AF
low frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
not so great battery life (410 per charge)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
good battery power (1,050 shots)
has phase detect AF
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Pentax K-50 Travel photography highlights
Sony A580 Travel photography highlights
environment sealing
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
not so great battery life (410 per charge)
heavier than competition (650g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
good battery power (1,050 per charge)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthLandscape Comparison
Landscape photography with Pentax K-50
Landscape photography with Sony A580
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,600)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
not so great battery life (410 CIPA)
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (1,050 CIPA)
two card slots
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging with Pentax K-50
Vlogging with Sony A580
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic support
heavier than competition (650 grams)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Pentax K-50 vs Sony A580 Specifications
| Pentax K-50 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Pentax | Sony |
| Model type | Pentax K-50 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 |
| Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Introduced | 2013-11-27 | 2011-05-26 |
| Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | 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 | 16 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4912 x 3264 |
| Maximum native ISO | 51600 | 12800 |
| Maximum boosted ISO | - | 25600 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 11 | 15 |
| Cross type focus points | 9 | 3 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Amount of lenses | 151 | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 921k dots | 922k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Screen technology | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 95 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | 0.53x |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/6000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shooting rate | 6.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
| Flash modes | 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 | ||
| Highest flash synchronize | 1/180s | 1/160s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| 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 data 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 | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 650 grams (1.43 lb) | 599 grams (1.32 lb) |
| 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 All around rating | 79 | 80 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 23.7 | 23.8 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.0 | 13.3 |
| DXO Low light rating | 1120 | 1121 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 410 photographs | 1050 photographs |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | D-LI109 | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | Single | Two |
| Launch price | $610 | $848 |
