Pentax K-50 vs Sony WX300: A Detailed Camera Comparison for Every Photographer

Choosing your next camera is a significant step in your creative journey, and it calls for a clear understanding of what each model offers in practice. The Pentax K-50, a robust entry-level DSLR announced in late 2013, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300, a compact superzoom introduced earlier that year, cater to very different priorities. We’ve extensively tested both cameras to help you pick the one that best matches your photography needs, whether you’re capturing portraits, landscapes, or fast-action sports.

Throughout this comparison, I will walk you through hands-on findings and technical details - so you can make an informed purchase with confidence.

Unpacking the Cameras: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

Physical feel and handling influence how enjoyable and efficient shooting becomes. Let’s start by comparing the cameras’ size and ergonomics.

Pentax K-50: Solid DSLR Build

• Body type: Compact SLR with weather sealing
• Dimensions: 130 x 97 x 71 mm
• Weight: 650 grams (with battery)
• Build: Durable polycarbonate shell with magnesium alloy protections; weather-resistant against dust and light rain
• Grip: Substantial handgrip providing stability for longer sessions
• Buttons: Well spaced, but no illumination for night use

Sony WX300: Pocketable Compact Zoom

• Body type: Small sensor superzoom compact
• Dimensions: 96 x 55 x 25 mm
• Weight: 166 grams
• Build: Lightweight plastic body, designed for portability over toughness
• Grip: Minimal, better suited for quick snaps and snap-to-carry convenience

The Pentax feels reassuringly rugged with a professional touch, ideal if you want reliability outdoors and don’t mind a bit of extra heft. The Sony, by contrast, fits comfortably in a jacket pocket, making it great for travel or street photography where discretion and portability matter.

Control Layout and User Interface: Which One Puts You in Charge?

Efficient control placement and a clear UI simplify your creative process, especially when capturing spontaneous moments.

Pentax K-50: DSLR Control Depth

• Dedicated dials: Exposure compensation, mode dial, and shutter speed dial allow rapid manual tweaking
• Display: No top screen, but the main rear screen and optical viewfinder are robust and responsive
• Viewfinder: Optical pentaprism with 100% coverage and 0.61x magnification - great for precise framing
• Live View: Available on the rear LCD for alternative framing angles

Sony WX300: Simplicity at Its Core

• Limited manual control: No aperture or shutter priority modes - fully automatic or program mode only
• No electronic or optical viewfinder: Screen-only framing
• Rear LCD: Basic 3-inch fixed TFT with moderate 460k-dot resolution

While the Pentax offers extensive control options preferred by enthusiasts and semi-pros, the Sony sacrifices manual controls for simplicity. If you want full creative freedom in exposure and focus settings, the Pentax is the stronger choice.

Sensor Size and Imaging Core: The Heart of Image Quality

Sensor technology directly impacts resolution, dynamic range, noise performance, and creative versatility.

Pentax K-50: APS-C Sensor Excellence

• Sensor: 23.7 x 15.7 mm CMOS APS-C, prime for image quality
• Resolution: 16 megapixels
• ISO range: Native 100–51,600
• Image processor: PRIME M, supporting fast processing and noise control
• Anti-aliasing filter: Present, balancing sharpness and moiré control

Sony WX300: Compact Sensor with Superzoom

• Sensor: 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor, smaller but back-illuminated for improved light gathering
• Resolution: 18 megapixels (higher pixel count but smaller sensor area)
• ISO range: 80–3,200 (limited high-ISO performance)
• Processor: Not specified but optimized for compact camera speed and zoom range

The Pentax’s larger sensor size means better image quality under most shooting conditions - greater depth of field control, dynamic range, and superior noise handling at high ISOs. By contrast, the Sony’s sensor, though high-res for its size, naturally suffers more noise and lower dynamic range, especially in low light.

LCD Screens and Viewfinding for Comfortable Composition

How you compose your images also depends on screen quality and viewfinder availability.

Pentax K-50

• Rear screen: 3-inch TFT LCD, 921k-dot resolution, good brightness and AR coating reduce reflections
• Viewfinder: Optical pentaprism, allowing shooting in bright daylight without eye strain
• Touchscreen: None, but physical buttons and dials are a solid alternative

Sony WX300

• Rear screen: 3-inch LCD, 460k-dot resolution - serviceable but not very sharp
• Viewfinder: None; all framing done on LCD
• Touchscreen: None, implying usage relies on physical buttons again

For intensive manual shooters or those who want a traditional viewfinder experience, the Pentax’s optical viewfinder is a substantial advantage. Meanwhile, casual shooters and vloggers who prefer framing on screen may find the Sony’s LCD sufficient, although its lower resolution is a minor downside.

Autofocus Systems: Tracking the Moment Accurately

Fast, reliable autofocus is critical in multiple genres - portraits, sports, wildlife, and street photography. Here’s how the two cameras stack up:

Pentax K-50’s Hybrid Phase-Detect AF

• Focus points: 11 AF points including 9 cross-type for high precision
• AF modes: Single, continuous (6 fps burst), and tracking, including face detection
• Live view AF: Contrast detection available
• Performance: Responsive in good light, handles challenging subjects decently but not top-tier AF speed

Sony WX300 Contrast-Detect AF

• Focus points: Unknown number, mostly center-weighted
• AF modes: Single AF with face detection and tracking
• Continuous AF: Not available
• Performance: Reasonable speed in daylight; struggles with fast-moving subjects or low light

The Pentax K-50’s phase-detect system and cross-type points offer significantly better autofocus accuracy and tracking ability, crucial for wildlife or sports shots. The Sony’s AF system is adequate for casual portraits or travel snapshots but less reliable for action.

Image Quality Showdown: Real-World Examples and Scores

Let’s consider actual image results from both cameras to see sensor and lens technology at work.

Pentax K 50 front Pentax K 50 screen back Sony WX300 front Sony WX300 screen back

• Pentax K-50: Produces natural colors, excellent skin tone rendering, and smooth bokeh with prime lenses. Its dynamic range captures highlight and shadow detail superbly, ideal for landscape and portrait work.
• Sony WX300: Delivers bright images with decent color, but noise becomes apparent at ISOs above 800. Background blur is limited due to the small sensor and narrower apertures.

Additionally, DxOMark has rated the Pentax K-50 with an overall score of 79, including a color depth of 23.7 bits and dynamic range near 13 stops, illustrating good high-performance sensor tech.

The Sony WX300 isn’t officially tested by DxOMark, but small sensor compacts in this class typically offer lower dynamic range and low light limits, consistent with our practical observations.

Burst Rate and Continuous Shooting for Action Photographers

Capturing fast-moving subjects demands rapid frame rates and buffer performance.

The Sony WX300 boasts faster burst shooting on paper (10 fps) but only for basic JPEG sequences due to its limited buffer. The Pentax’s 6 fps is more impressive when shooting RAW and tracking focus continuously, which is ideal for wildlife and sports shots.

Video Capabilities: Are You Ready to Shoot Moving Images?

Video features influence content creators diversifying into vlogging or hybrid multimedia work.

Pentax K-50

• Max Resolution: Full HD 1920x1080 up to 30 fps
• Formats: MPEG-4 and H.264 compression
• Video features: Limited manual control; no microphone or headphone jacks
• Stabilization: Sensor-based image stabilization helps steady shots
• Focus in video: Contrast-detect AF only, slow but usable

Sony WX300

• Max Resolution: Full HD 1080p at 60/50 fps - smoother motion capture
• Formats: AVCHD primarily
• Video features: No external mic input; lacks advanced controls
• Stabilization: Optical image stabilization inside the lens system for effective video smoothness

For casual video and social media posts, the Sony WX300’s smoother Full HD at 60 fps capture and optical stabilization will appeal. The Pentax K-50 delivers solid video quality with its larger sensor but is more geared toward still photography with minimal video features.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

The choice of lenses can significantly extend your creative possibilities.

• Pentax K-50: Compatible with a vast lineup of over 150 Pentax K-mount lenses including primes, zooms, and specialty optics; full manual and automatic aperture control; weather-sealed lenses available
• Sony WX300: Fixed built-in zoom lens covering an impressive 25–500 mm equivalent focal length (20x zoom), but no option to change optics

If you envision advancing your skills with different lenses - portrait primes, macro, or wide-angle landscapes - the Pentax offers unrivaled flexibility. The Sony’s built-in zoom is convenient but limits long-term growth.

Battery Life and Storage Media

How long can you shoot and store your images?

The Pentax K-50's battery life outperforms the Sony thanks to DSLR efficiencies and a larger battery. For extended shooting trips or professional workflows, this less frequent need for recharging is a real perk.

Connectivity and Extras: Wireless, GPS, and More

Modern cameras often integrate wireless features for easy sharing and geotagging.

• Pentax K-50: Lacks built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth; however, GPS functionality is available via optional external units
• Sony WX300: Includes built-in Wi-Fi for straightforward image transfer to smartphones or tablets; no GPS or Bluetooth

Connectivity is increasingly important for instant sharing and workflow integration. The Sony edges ahead with native Wi-Fi, while the Pentax suits traditionalists who prefer tethering or manual data transfer.

Weather Sealing and Durability: Ready for the Elements?

• Pentax K-50: Yes, weather-resistant sealing against dust and moisture; excellent choice for outdoor and adventure photography
• Sony WX300: No weather sealing; better used in controlled or casual environments

If your shooting ventures include diverse or harsh weather, the Pentax offers peace of mind and reliability.

How They Perform Across Photography Genres

Let’s see how these cameras shape up for different photography styles.

Overall Performance Metrics and Ratings

Taking all components into account, here are the overall scores summarizing the cameras’ performance:

• Pentax K-50: 79/100 overall - balanced DSLR offering robust image quality and versatility
• Sony WX300: Not officially graded but positioned as a solid compact superzoom with trade-offs in sensor size and manual control

Who Should Choose Which Camera?

The Pentax K-50 is for you if:

• You want DSLR-level image quality with an APS-C sensor
• You prioritize manual control over exposure and focus
• You shoot diverse genres like landscape, portrait, wildlife, and sports
• You need durability and weather sealing for outdoor use
• You plan to invest in different lenses for long-term versatility
• You prefer shooting RAW and integrating into professional workflows

The K-50 is ideal for photography enthusiasts stepping into semi-professional territory who want a dependable all-rounder.

The Sony WX300 suits you if:

• Portability and pocketability are top priorities
• You want a powerful zoom lens built in for travel or street photography
• You prefer an automated, easy-to-use camera with Wi-Fi sharing
• Video capabilities at 60 fps Full HD matter more than manual control
• Budget is tighter and convenience trumps extended lens choices

For casual photographers or content creators needing a grab-and-go option, the WX300 delivers convenience and respectable image quality.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

With our direct side-by-side testing and technical examination, it’s evident these cameras address very different photographic approaches.

The Pentax K-50 represents classic DSLR photography strength with a rugged, weather-sealed body, a versatile lens system, and superior image quality rooted in its APS-C sensor. Its extensive manual controls make it suited for enthusiasts and semi-pros who want to grow their craft and shoot intelligently across a wide array of genres. If you want a camera to learn and improve your technique, the K-50 is a trusted companion.

The Sony WX300 is a versatile compact superzoom tailored to convenience and portability. Its fixed zoom lens spans a fantastic focal range while staying pocket-friendly, complemented by built-in Wi-Fi for modern connectivity. Ideal for travel, street, and casual snapshots where you prioritize lightness over extensive manual settings, the WX300 is a strong everyday shooter.

Both cameras can inspire creativity - the choice boils down to your shooting style, the genres you gravitate to, and how much control you want in your hands.

Helpful Resources to Explore Next

• Check out the Pentax K-mount lens lineup to plan your lens purchases
• Test the Sony WX300’s zoom and focus speeds in your local store
• Review sample RAW files from the K-50 to get a feel for post-processing potential
• Compare batteries and accessories for your chosen system to extend shooting time
• Look for weather-resistant camera bags if you pick the Pentax for outdoor use

By understanding these cameras deeply, you’re well-placed to select one that matches your current creative ambitions and evolves with your skills.

Happy shooting!

All product specifications and performance ratings are based on extensive hands-on testing and industry benchmarks.