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Pentax K-50 vs Sony HX300

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60
Pentax K-50 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
51
Overall
46

Pentax K-50 vs Sony HX300 Key Specs

Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched November 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-30
Sony HX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
  • Announced February 2013
  • Previous Model is Sony HX200V
  • Newer Model is Sony HX400V
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Pentax K-50 vs Sony HX300 Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Pentax K-50 vs Sony HX300, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-50 (16MP) and the HX300 (20MP) is very close but the K-50 (APS-C) and HX300 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizes.

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The K-50 was introduced 10 months after the HX300 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the K-50 scores against the HX300 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Sony HX300

 K-50 HX300 
AnnouncedNovember 2013February 2013Newer by 10 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Pentax K-50

 HX300 K-50 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Pentax K-50 and Sony HX300

 K-50 HX300 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Display resolution921k921kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Pentax K-50 vs Sony HX300 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax K-50 enjoys exterior dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) while the Sony HX300 has sizing of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-50 vs Sony HX300 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the K-50 versus the HX300.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony HX300 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the K-50 and HX300 is 63 and 63 respectively.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony HX300 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony HX300 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to picture the difference in sensor dimensions purely by viewing technical specs. The image below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the K-50 and HX300.

As you can tell, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The K-50 having a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony HX300 will provide you with extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more modern K-50 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony HX300 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony HX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-50 vs Sony HX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-50 Portrait photography advice
Sony HX300 Portrait photography advice
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW files
42
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-50
Street photography with Sony HX300
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
very good ISO range (51,600)
no moving screen
more heavy than competition in class (650g)
50
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than competitors (623g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-50 Sports photography info
Sony HX300 Sports photography info
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
low battery life (410 CIPA)
55
great zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-50
Travel photography with Sony HX300
56
environment proof
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
low battery life (410 CIPA)
more heavy than competition in class (650g)
display isn't selfie friendly
54
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1200mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors (623 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-50 Landscape photography advice
Sony HX300 Landscape photography advice
74
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
very good ISO range (51,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
low battery life (410 CIPA)
48
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-50 Vlogging factors
Sony HX300 Vlogging factors
28
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (650g)
25
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no mic socket
heavier than competitors (623g)
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Pentax K-50 vs Sony HX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-50 and Sony HX300
 Pentax K-50Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-50 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
Type Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-11-27 2013-02-20
Physical type Compact SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip PRIME M -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 51600 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-6.3
Total lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
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, 50 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650g (1.43 lb) 623g (1.37 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 1120 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI109 -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $610 $339