A potelyt.com – Photography & Imaging Resources
ad

When you use links on apotelyt.com to buy products,
the site may earn a commission.

PW

Pentax K-1 vs Canon 50D

The Pentax K-1 and the Canon EOS 50D are two enthusiast cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in February 2016 and August 2008. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on a full frame (K-1) and an APS-C (50D) sensor. The Pentax has a resolution of 36.2 megapixels, whereas the Canon provides 15.1 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Pentax K-1
versus
Canon 50D
Pentax K-1   Canon 50D
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Pentax K mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
36.2 MP – Full Frame sensor 15.1 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/60i Video no Video
ISO 100-204,800 ISO 100-3,200 (100 - 12,800)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
3.2" LCD – 1037k dots 3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Fully flexible screen (no touchscreen) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
4.4 shutter flaps per second 6.3 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilizationLens stabilization only
Weathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
760 shots per battery charge800 shots per battery charge
137 x 110 x 86 mm, 1010 g 146 x 108 x 74 mm, 822 g
logo
Check K-1 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check 50D offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Pentax K-1 and the Canon EOS 50D? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

ad

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Pentax K-1 and the Canon 50D is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The K-1 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the 50D is only available in black.

Size Pentax K-1 vs Canon 50D
Compare K-1 versus 50D top
Comparison K-1 or 50D rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 50D is somewhat larger (5 percent) than the Pentax K-1. However, the 50D is markedly lighter (19 percent) than the K-1. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the K-1 gets 760 shots out of its Pentax D-LI90 battery, while the 50D can take 800 images on a single charge of its Canon BP-511A power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

scroll hint
Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Pentax K-1 137 mm 110 mm 86 mm 1010 g 760 Y Feb 2016 US$ 1 799ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 50D 146 mm 108 mm 74 mm 822 g 800 Y Aug 2008 US$ 1 299ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 5D Mark IV 151 mm 116 mm 76 mm 890 g 900 Y Aug 2016 US$ 3 499 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon 7D 148 mm 111 mm 74 mm 860 g 800 Y Sep 2009 US$ 1 699ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 30D 144 mm 106 mm 74 mm 785 g 750 n Feb 2006 US$ 1 399ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 40D 146 mm 108 mm 74 mm 822 g 750 n Aug 2007 US$ 1 299ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 60D 145 mm 106 mm 79 mm 755 g 1100 Y Aug 2010 US$ 1 399ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 70D 139 mm 104 mm 79 mm 755 g 920 Y Jul 2013 US$ 1 199ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D500 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 860 g 1240 Y Jan 2016 US$ 1 999ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-M1 II 134 mm 91 mm 67 mm 574 g 440 Y Sep 2016 US$ 1 999ebay.com
11.
 
Pentax K-1 II 137 mm 110 mm 86 mm 1010 g 670 Y Feb 2018 US$ 1 999 amazon.com
12.
 
Pentax K-3 II 131 mm 100 mm 77 mm 800 g 720 Y Apr 2015 US$ 1 099ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A7R II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 625 g 290 Y Jun 2015 US$ 3 199ebay.com
14.
 
Sony A7R III 127 mm 96 mm 74 mm 650 g 650 Y Oct 2017 US$ 3 199ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A7R IIIA 127 mm 96 mm 74 mm 650 g 650 Y Apr 2021 US$ 3 199 amazon.com
16.
 
Sony A99 II 143 mm 104 mm 76 mm 849 g 490 Y Sep 2016 US$ 3 199ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A850 156 mm 117 mm 82 mm 895 g 880 Y Aug 2009 US$ 1 999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The 50D was launched at a markedly lower price (by 28 percent) than the K-1, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Pentax K-1 features a full frame sensor and the Canon 50D an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the 50D is 61 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 1.6. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Pentax K-1 and Canon 50D sensor measures

With 36.2MP, the K-1 offers a higher resolution than the 50D (15.1MP), but the K-1 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.88μm versus 4.69μm for the 50D) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the K-1 is a much more recent model (by 7 years and 5 months) than the 50D, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the K-1 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Pentax K-1 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the K-1 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 36.8 x 24.6 inches or 93.5 x 62.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 29.4 x 19.6 inches or 74.8 x 49.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 24.5 x 16.4 inches or 62.3 x 41.6 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon 50D are 23.8 x 15.8 inches or 60.4 x 40.2 cm for good quality, 19 x 12.7 inches or 48.3 x 32.2 cm for very good quality, and 15.8 x 10.6 inches or 40.2 x 26.8 cm for excellent quality prints.

Unlike the 50D, the K-1 has the capacity to capture high quality composite images by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Pentax K-1 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 204800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS 50D are ISO 100 to ISO 3200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-12800.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

K-1 versus 50D MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. Of the two cameras under review, the K-1 provides substantially higher image quality than the 50D, with an overall score that is 33 points higher. This advantage is based on 3.6 bits higher color depth, 3.2 EV in additional dynamic range, and 2.2 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

scroll hint
Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Pentax K-1 Full Frame 36.2 7360 49121080/60i25.414.6328096
2.
 
Canon 50D APS-C 15.1 4752 3168none21.811.469663
3.
 
Canon 5D Mark IV Full Frame 30.1 6720 44804K/30p24.813.6299591
4.
 
Canon 7D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.011.785466
5.
 
Canon 30D APS-C 8.2 3504 2336none21.510.873659
6.
 
Canon 40D APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.111.370364
7.
 
Canon 60D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.211.581366
8.
 
Canon 70D APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/30p22.511.692668
9.
 
Nikon D500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.014.0132483
10.
 
Olympus E-M1 II Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.712.8131280
11.
 
Pentax K-1 II Full Frame 36.2 7360 49121080/60i25.114.0269893
12.
 
Pentax K-3 II APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.613.6110680
13.
 
Sony A7R II Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.013.9343498
14.
 
Sony A7R III Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.014.73523100
15.
 
Sony A7R IIIA Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.014.73523100
16.
 
Sony A99 II Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p25.413.4231792
17.
 
Sony A850 Full Frame 24.4 6048 4032none23.812.2141579
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The K-1 indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the 50D does not. The highest resolution format that the K-1 can use is 1080/60i.

ad

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The K-1 and the 50D are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinder in the K-1 offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the 50D (95%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. In addition, the viewfinder of the K-1 has a higher magnification (0.70x vs 0.59x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Pentax K-1 and Canon 50D along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

scroll hint
Core Features
  empty Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Pentax K-1optical Y3.2 / 1037 full-flex n 1/8000s 4.4/s n Y
2.
 
Canon 50Doptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 6.3/s Y n
3.
 
Canon 5D Mark IVoptical Y3.2 / 1620 fixed Y 1/8000s 7.0/s n n
4.
 
Canon 7Doptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon 30Doptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon 40Doptical Y3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 6.5/s Y n
7.
 
Canon 60Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel n 1/8000s 5.3/s Y n
8.
 
Canon 70Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D500optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
10.
 
Olympus E-M1 II2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 18.0/s n Y
11.
 
Pentax K-1 IIoptical Y3.2 / 1037 full-flex n 1/8000s 4.4/s n Y
12.
 
Pentax K-3 IIoptical Y3.2 / 1037 fixed n 1/8000s 8.3/s n Y
13.
 
Sony A7R II2400 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
14.
 
Sony A7R III3686 n3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
15.
 
Sony A7R IIIA3686 n3.0 / 2340 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
16.
 
Sony A99 II2400 Y3.0 / 1229 full-flex n 1/8000s 12.0/s n Y
17.
 
Sony A850optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 3.0/s n Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One feature that differentiates the K-1 and the 50D is in-body image stabilization (IBIS). The K-1 reduces the risk of handshake-induced blur with all attached lenses, while the 50D offers no blur reduction with lenses that themselves do not provide optical image stabilization.

The Pentax K-1 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The K-1 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the 50D uses Compact Flash cards. The K-1 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the 50D only has one slot.

ad

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Pentax K-1 and Canon EOS 50D and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

scroll hint
Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Pentax K-1Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0Y--
2.
 
Canon 50DY- / ---mini2.0---
3.
 
Canon 5D Mark IVYmono / monoYYmini3.0YY-
4.
 
Canon 7DYmono / -Y-mini2.0---
5.
 
Canon 30DY- / ----2.0---
6.
 
Canon 40DY- / ----2.0---
7.
 
Canon 60DYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
8.
 
Canon 70DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
9.
 
Nikon D500Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY
10.
 
Olympus E-M1 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y--
11.
 
Pentax K-1 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0Y--
12.
 
Pentax K-3 IIYmono / monoYYmini3.0---
13.
 
Sony A7R IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
14.
 
Sony A7R IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1YYY
15.
 
Sony A7R IIIAYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2YYY
16.
 
Sony A99 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YYY
17.
 
Sony A850Y- / ---mini2.0---

It is notable that the K-1 offers wifi support, while the 50D does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the K-1 has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

Both the K-1 and the 50D have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 50D was replaced by the Canon 60D, while the K-1 was followed by the Pentax K-1 II. Further information on the features and operation of the K-1 and 50D can be found, respectively, in the Pentax K-1 Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon 50D Manual.

ad

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Pentax K-1 better than the Canon 50D or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

ilogo

Arguments in favor of the Pentax K-1:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (36.2 vs 15.1MP) with a 55% higher linear resolution.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (33 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • Richer colors: Generates images with noticeably better colors (3.6 bits more color depth).
  • More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (3.2 EV of extra DR).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (2.2 stops ISO advantage).
  • Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 1080/60i movies.
  • More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 95%).
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.70x vs 0.59x).
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1037k vs 920k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a full-flex screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
  • Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • More modern: Reflects 7 years and 5 months of technical progress since the 50D launch.

ilogo

Advantages of the Canon EOS 50D:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (6.3 vs 4.4 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 188g or 19 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (28 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in August 2008).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the K-1 is the clear winner of the match-up (19 : 6 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

K-1 19:06 50D

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Pentax K-1 and the Canon 50D place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the K-1 or the 50D perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

scroll hint
Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Pentax K-15/5....84/1005/55/5 Feb 2016 US$ 1 799ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 50D..+ +..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2008 US$ 1 299ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 5D Mark IV4.5/5+ +4/587/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2016 US$ 3 499 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon 7D5/5+ +..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2009 US$ 1 699ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 30D..+ +..+ +o.. Feb 2006 US$ 1 399ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 40D..+ +..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 US$ 1 299ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 60D5/5+..79/1004/54.5/5 Aug 2010 US$ 1 399ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 70D5/5+ +..83/1004.5/55/5 Jul 2013 US$ 1 199ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D5005/5+ +4.7/591/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 US$ 1 999ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-M1 II5/5+ +5/585/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2016 US$ 1 999ebay.com
11.
 
Pentax K-1 II....4.5/579/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2018 US$ 1 999 amazon.com
12.
 
Pentax K-3 II4.5/5......5/55/5 Apr 2015 US$ 1 099ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A7R II5/5+ +5/590/1005/55/5 Jun 2015 US$ 3 199ebay.com
14.
 
Sony A7R III..+ +4/590/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2017 US$ 3 199ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A7R IIIA..+ +4/590/1004.5/55/5 Apr 2021 US$ 3 199 amazon.com
16.
 
Sony A99 II....4.5/585/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2016 US$ 3 199ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A8503/5....75/100..4.5/5 Aug 2009 US$ 1 999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

logo
Check K-1 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check 50D offers at
ebay.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

~
    loader
    ad

    Specifications: Pentax K-1 vs Canon 50D

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Pentax K-1 Canon 50D
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Pentax K mount lenses Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date February 2016 August 2008
    Launch Price USD 1,799 USD 1,299
    Sensor Specs Pentax K-1 Canon 50D
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Full Frame Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 35.9 x 24.0 mm 22.3 x 14.9 mm
    Sensor Area 861.6 mm2 332.27 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 43.2 mm 26.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.0x 1.6x
    Sensor Resolution 36.2 Megapixels 15.1 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 7360 x 4912 pixels 4752 x 3168 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.88 μm 4.69 μm
    Pixel Density 4.20 MP/cm2 4.53 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60i Video no Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 204,800 ISO 100 - 3,200 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 100 - 12,800 ISO
    Image Processor PRIME IV DIGIC 4
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 96 63
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 25.4 21.8
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 14.6 11.4
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 3280 696
    Screen Specs Pentax K-1 Canon 50D
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.70x 0.59x
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.2inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1037k dots 920k dots
    LCD Attachment Fully flexible screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Pentax K-1 Canon 50D
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peakingno Peaking Feature
    Continuous Shooting 4.4 shutter flaps/s 6.3 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy300 000 actuations100 000 actuations
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inno Intervalometer
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilizationLens stabilization only
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards CF cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots Single card slot
    Connectivity Specs Pentax K-1 Canon 50D
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port no MIC socket
    Headphone Socket Headphone port no Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Geotagging GPS built-in no internal GPS
    Body Specs Pentax K-1 Canon 50D
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Pentax D-LI90 Canon BP-511A
    Battery Life (CIPA)760 shots per charge800 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 137 x 110 x 86 mm
    (5.4 x 4.3 x 3.4 in)
    146 x 108 x 74 mm
    (5.7 x 4.3 x 2.9 in)
    Camera Weight 1010 g (35.6 oz) 822 g (29.0 oz)
    logo
    Check K-1 offers at
    ebay.com
    logo
    Check 50D offers at
    ebay.com

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

    You are here Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Pentax K-1 vs Canon 50D