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Pentax K-50 vs Sony RX100

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60
Pentax K-50 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 front
Portability
91
Imaging
51
Features
68
Overall
57

Pentax K-50 vs Sony RX100 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
  • Released November 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-30
Sony RX100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 240g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Renewed by Sony RX100 II
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Pentax K-50 vs Sony RX100 Overview

The following is a in-depth review of the Pentax K-50 versus Sony RX100, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-50 (16MP) and the RX100 (20MP) is pretty similar but the K-50 (APS-C) and RX100 (1") feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The K-50 was brought out 16 months after the RX100 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony RX100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the K-50 grades vs the RX100 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Sony RX100

 K-50 RX100 
AnnouncedNovember 2013August 2012Newer by 16 months

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 over the Pentax K-50

 RX100 K-50 
Screen resolution1229k921kCrisper screen (+308k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-50 and Sony RX100

 K-50 RX100 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-50 vs Sony RX100 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-50 provides 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) and the Sony RX100 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-50 versus Sony RX100 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the K-50 compared to the RX100.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony RX100 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-50 and RX100 is 63 and 91 respectively.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony RX100 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony RX100 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to envision the difference between sensor dimensions only by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-50 and RX100.

Clearly, each of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The K-50 because of its bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Sony RX100 will offer extra detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots much more aggressively. The newer K-50 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony RX100 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony RX100 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-50 vs Sony RX100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-50 Portrait photography advice
Sony RX100 Portrait photography advice
74
manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
64
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-50 Street photography factors
Sony RX100 Street photography factors
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
good high ISO (51,600)
screen does not articulate
more heavy than competition (650g)
80
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition (240 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-50 Sports photography details
Sony RX100 Sports photography details
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
terrible battery life (410 per charge)
65
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
comes with tracking focus
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-50 Travel photography features
Sony RX100 Travel photography features
56
weather proofing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
terrible battery life (410 per charge)
more heavy than competition (650g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
79
lighter than competition (240g)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-50 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Landscape photography camera
74
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good high ISO (51,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
terrible battery life (410 CIPA)
74
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-50 Vlogging information
Sony RX100 Vlogging information
28
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
more heavy than competition (650g)
38
really wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (240g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no microphone jack
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Pentax K-50 vs Sony RX100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-50 and Sony RX100
 Pentax K-50Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-50 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
Class Entry-Level DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Released 2013-11-27 2012-08-28
Body design Compact SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor PRIME M -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 51600 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 25
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-100mm (3.6x)
Largest aperture - f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Available lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/6000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180s 1/2000s
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 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 650g (1.43 pounds) 240g (0.53 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 66
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 12.4
DXO Low light rating 1120 390
Other
Battery life 410 shots 330 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $610 $448