• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Nikon J1 advantages over Pentax K-50

  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 71 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    396g vs 904g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    57.9 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/6000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Pentax K-50 advantages over Nikon J1

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Better color depth
    23.7 vs 21.5 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,120 vs 372 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.0 vs 11.0 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 480 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/180 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.3 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    30 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-50

Review Excerpt

  • Very small body, with solid feel; Fast AF; No-nonsense interface. Excellent video capture, Good picture quality.

  • Body could be smaller for sensor size; High ISO isn't as good as other compact system cameras; Battery life below average; Weak flash; Confusing controls.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A57

Nikon J1
Sony A57
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
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

Nikon J1
Sony A37
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • 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 Nikon J2

Nikon J1
Nikon J2
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
Pentax K-50
Nikon J2
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon J3

Nikon J1
Nikon J3
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dots on screen
Pentax K-50
Nikon J3
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon S1

Nikon J1
Nikon S1
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Wider angle kit lens
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
Pentax K-50
Nikon S1
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner
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