Canon 50D vs Pentax K-7

Cameras
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Canon 50D vs Pentax K-7

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APS-C 369.7mm²
15.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Canon 50D Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 50D.

APS-C 369.7mm²
14.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-7 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-7.

Succeeded by the Canon 60D
Compare 50D vs 60D

Succeeded by the Pentax K-5
Compare K-7 vs K-5

Compare CANON 60D vs PENTAX K-5

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Differences

Canon 50D advantages over Pentax K-7

Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.6 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
50D test data on DxO Mark K-7 test data on DxO Mark

696 vs 536 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Faster JPEG shooting
6.3 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
43 vs 20 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Pentax K-7 advantages over Canon 50D

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds

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
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
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

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Review Excerpt

Read our Canon 50D Full Review

Read our Pentax K-7 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung GX-20

Canon 50D

Samsung GX-20

$1000
APS-C

HDMI out
More dots on screen

$1400
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Samsung GX-20

Pentax K-7

Samsung GX-20

$1300
APS-C

HDMI out
More dots on screen

$1400
APS-C

Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Samsung GX-20

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Canon 50D

Sony DSLR-A380

$1000
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-7

Sony DSLR-A380

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Longer stills battery life

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Canon 50D

Sony DSLR-A550

$1000
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$859
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Sony DSLR-A550

Pentax K-7

Sony DSLR-A550

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Top deck display

$859
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Canon T2i

Canon 50D

Canon T2i

$1000
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$692
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 50D vs Canon T2i

Pentax K-7

Canon T2i

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$692
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Canon T2i

Compared to Sony A55

Canon 50D

Sony A55

$1000
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$734
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Sony A55

Pentax K-7

Sony A55

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$734
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony A55

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