• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Panasonic GH2 advantages over Pentax K-50

  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    280 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.71x vs 0.61x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Pentax K-50 advantages over Panasonic GH2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.48 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Better color depth
    23.7 vs 21.1 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,120 vs 655 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.0 vs 11.3 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 480 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.0 fps vs 3.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    30 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GH1

Panasonic GH2
Panasonic GH1
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • More pixels
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Thinner
Pentax K-50
Panasonic GH1
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Panasonic G2

Panasonic GH2
Panasonic G2
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
Pentax K-50
Panasonic G2
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • HDMI out

Compared to Sony A57

Panasonic GH2
Sony A57
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Pentax K-50
Sony A57
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Sony A37

Panasonic GH2
Sony A37
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Pentax K-50
Sony A37
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Panasonic G5

Panasonic GH2
Panasonic G5
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Lighter weight
Pentax K-50
Panasonic G5
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
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