• APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Nikon D3200 advantages over Pentax K-50

  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 30 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-50 advantages over Nikon D3200

  • Less expensive
    $149 vs $477
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.86 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More cross-type AF points
    9 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.61x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (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

  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3200
Kit with 18-55mm Lens
All D3200 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-50
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm lenses
  • Kit with 18-55mm lens
All K-50 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • High resolution allows cropping; Good performance in low light; Compact and comfortable, highly portable; Fast and responsive, just begs to take pictures; Quiet shutter is great for candids.

  • Mediocre kit lens; Might be too small for some; No bracketing; Narrow flash coverage; Matrix metering tends to overexpose.

  • Read our Nikon D3200 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A65

Nikon D3200
Sony A65
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Sony A65

Pentax K-50
Sony A65
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Sony A65

Compared to Sony A57

Nikon D3200
Sony A57
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Sony A57

Pentax K-50
Sony A57
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Sony A57

Compared to Sony A37

Nikon D3200
Sony A37
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Sony A37

Pentax K-50
Sony A37
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Sony A37

Compared to Nikon D5200

Nikon D3200
Nikon D5200
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D5200

Pentax K-50
Nikon D5200
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Nikon D5200

Compared to Sony A58

Nikon D3200
Sony A58
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Sony A58

Pentax K-50
Sony A58
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Sony A58

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