Canon 50D vs Pentax K-x

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Canon 50D vs Pentax K-x

Leave Feedback

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
12.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

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

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

Succeeded by the Pentax K-r
Compare K-x vs K-r

Compare CANON 60D vs PENTAX K-R

Buy From

Differences

Canon 50D advantages over Pentax K-x

Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.6 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

640 vs 420 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
216 mm vs 84 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
920k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
15.1 vs 12.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
6.3 fps vs 4.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
43 vs 25 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-x advantages over Canon 50D

Less expensive
$650 vs $1399 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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.
K-x test data on DxO Mark 50D test data on DxO Mark

811 vs 696 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Wider angle kit lens
27 mm vs 45 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens

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

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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 50D

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-x

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon 50D Full Review

Read our Pentax K-x 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-x

Samsung GX-20

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$1400
APS-C

Top deck display
Pentaprism viewfinder

Compare Pentax K-x 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-x

Sony DSLR-A380

$702
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$849
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K-x vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Pentax K-7

Canon 50D

Pentax K-7

$1000
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$1300
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Pentax K-7

Pentax K-x

Pentax K-7

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$1300
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-7

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-x

Sony DSLR-A550

$702
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$859
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-x vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Pentax K-r

Canon 50D

Pentax K-r

$1000
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
More telephoto lens reach

$850
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Pentax K-r

Pentax K-x

Pentax K-r

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$850
APS-C

Fast startup
External Mic Jack

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-r

Compare Other Cameras?