Clicky

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A35

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60
Pentax K-50 front
 
Sony SLT-A35 front
Portability
69
Imaging
56
Features
70
Overall
61

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A35 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
  • Replaced the Pentax K-30
Sony A35
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 415g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Introduced September 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony A33
  • Newer Model is Sony A37
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A35 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Pentax K-50 vs Sony A35, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-50 (16MP) and the A35 (16MP) is relatively close and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The K-50 was brought out 2 years after the A35 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the K-50 matches up against the A35 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Sony A35

 K-50 A35 
IntroducedNovember 2013September 2011More modern by 27 months

Reasons to pick Sony A35 over the Pentax K-50

 A35 K-50 

Common features in the Pentax K-50 and Sony A35

 K-50 A35 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution921k921kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A35 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax K-50 features outer 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 A35 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 415 grams (0.91 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-50 vs Sony A35 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the K-50 and the A35.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A35 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-50 and A35 is 63 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A35 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A35 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to see the gap in sensor sizes merely by looking through specs. The image below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-50 and A35.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels and you can expect comparable quality of pictures however you would want to take the launch date of the cameras into account. The newer K-50 is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A35 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A35 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A35 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-50
Portrait photography with Sony A35
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
73
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Pentax K-50 Street photography info
Sony A35 Street photography info
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
good high ISO (51,600)
no articulating screen
more heavy than competition (650 grams)
71
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (415 grams)
above average high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-50 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A35 as a Sports photography camera
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect AF
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
bad battery life (410 per charge)
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
not so great battery power (440 shots)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-50
Travel photography with Sony A35
56
environment proofing
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
more heavy than competition (650g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
58
lighter than competition (415g)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (440 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-50 Landscape photography features
Sony A35 Landscape photography features
74
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (51,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
69
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
not so great battery power (440 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-50 Vlogging highlights
Sony A35 Vlogging highlights
28
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have microphone jack
more heavy than competition (650 grams)
36
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic socket
lighter than competition (415 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A35 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-50 and Sony A35
 Pentax K-50Sony SLT-A35
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-50 Sony SLT-A35
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2013-11-27 2011-09-20
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME M Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 51600 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 15
Cross focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650 grams (1.43 pounds) 415 grams (0.91 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 79 74
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 23.3
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 12.7
DXO Low light score 1120 763
Other
Battery life 410 images 440 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $610 $598