Pentax K-50 vs Sony NEX-C3
63 Imaging
57 Features
65 Overall
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91 Imaging
56 Features
57 Overall
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Pentax K-50 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs
(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
- Released November 2013
- Succeeded the Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
- Launched August 2011
- Old Model is Sony NEX-3
- Successor is Sony NEX-F3

Pentax K-50 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview
Following is a comprehensive assessment of the Pentax K-50 vs Sony NEX-C3, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-50 (16MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is fairly comparable and they come with the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).

The K-50 was manufactured 2 years after the NEX-C3 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief view of how the K-50 grades versus the NEX-C3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony NEX-C3 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K-50 and Sony Alpha NEX-C3. The entire galleries are provided at Pentax K-50 Gallery and Sony NEX-C3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Sony NEX-C3
K-50 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | November 2013 | ![]() | August 2011 | More modern by 28 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper display (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Pentax K-50
NEX-C3 | K-50 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Pentax K-50 and Sony NEX-C3
K-50 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch display |
Pentax K-50 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-50 comes with outer measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) while the Sony NEX-C3 has measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).
See the Pentax K-50 vs Sony NEX-C3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the K-50 versus the NEX-C3.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-50 and NEX-C3 is 63 and 91 respectively.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes simply by seeing specifications. The picture below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the K-50 and NEX-C3.
Plainly, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same MP therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos however you really should take the production date of the cameras into account. The younger K-50 provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications
Pentax K-50 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax K-50 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2013-11-27 | 2011-08-22 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | PRIME M | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 372.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4912 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 51600 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 25 |
Cross type focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Pentax KAF2 | Sony E |
Available lenses | 151 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 921 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/6000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 6.0 frames per second | 6.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
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, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 650 gr (1.43 pounds) | 225 gr (0.50 pounds) |
Dimensions | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") | 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 79 | 73 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.7 | 22.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.0 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 1120 | 1083 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 410 pictures | 400 pictures |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI109 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch pricing | $610 | $343 |