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Pentax K-50 vs Sony QX1

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60
Pentax K-50 front
 
Sony Alpha QX1 front
Portability
90
Imaging
63
Features
48
Overall
57

Pentax K-50 vs Sony QX1 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
  • Released November 2013
  • Older Model is Pentax K-30
Sony QX1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 216g - 74 x 70 x 53mm
  • Revealed September 2014
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Pentax K-50 vs Sony QX1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Pentax K-50 and Sony QX1, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Lens-style by rivals Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-50 (16MP) and the QX1 (20MP) is relatively similar and they feature the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-50 was revealed 9 months before the QX1 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony QX1 being a Lens-style camera.

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the K-50 grades vs the QX1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Sony QX1

 K-50 QX1 
Screen sizing3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution921k0kSharper screen (+921k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX1 over the Pentax K-50

 QX1 K-50 
RevealedSeptember 2014November 2013More recent by 9 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-50 and Sony QX1

 K-50 QX1 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Pentax K-50 vs Sony QX1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-50 has got exterior measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) and the Sony QX1 has dimensions of 74mm x 70mm x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") accompanied by a weight of 216 grams (0.48 lbs).

See the Pentax K-50 and Sony QX1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the K-50 against the QX1.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony QX1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-50 and QX1 is 63 and 90 respectively.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony QX1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony QX1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reviewing specifications. The graphic here should provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-50 and QX1.

To sum up, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Sony QX1 to offer more detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The older K-50 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony QX1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony QX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-50 vs Sony QX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-50
Portrait photography with Sony QX1
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
66
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
no manual control
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-50 Street photography features
Sony QX1 Street photography features
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
very good high ISO (51,600)
fixed screen
heavier than others in class (650g)
69
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition (216g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-50 Sports photography factors
Sony QX1 Sports photography factors
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect AF
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
56
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
better than average battery life (440 per charge)
slow fps (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-50 Travel photography advice
Sony QX1 Travel photography advice
56
environment sealing
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
heavier than others in class (650g)
display is not selfie friendly
71
better than average battery life (440 CIPA)
comes with touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (216g)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-50 Landscape photography information
Sony QX1 Landscape photography information
74
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,600)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
64
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (440 shots)
screen is somewhat small (")
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-50
Vlogging with Sony QX1
28
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
no mic port
heavier than others in class (650 grams)
32
touchscreen enabled
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have external microphone socket
more heavy than competition (216 grams)
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Pentax K-50 vs Sony QX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-50 and Sony QX1
 Pentax K-50Sony Alpha QX1
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-50 Sony Alpha QX1
Class Entry-Level DSLR Lens-style
Released 2013-11-27 2014-09-03
Physical type Compact SLR Lens-style
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME M Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 5456 x 3632
Highest native ISO 51600 16000
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 25
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Number of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 1.6
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches -
Screen resolution 921k dots 0k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Off, auto, fill, slow sync, rear sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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) 216 grams (0.48 lbs)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 74 x 70 x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1120 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 shots 440 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $610 $500