Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-3 III

Cameras
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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-3 III

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APS-C 369.0mm²
20.9 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon Z50 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the Z50.

APS-C 361.2mm²
25.7 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1,600,000

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 III Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3 III.

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Differences

Nikon Z50 advantages over Pentax K-3 III

Less expensive
$897 vs $2344
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-3 III advantages over Nikon Z50

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
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

800 vs 320 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Higher-res screen
540k vs 346k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
1.05x vs 0.68x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
25.7 vs 20.9 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
1600000 vs 204800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Z50 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 III User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon Z50

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 16-50mm and 50-250mm Lenses
Kit with 16-50mm Lens

All Z50 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3 III

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 20-40mm F2.8-4 Lens
Kit with 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Lens

All K-3 III Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Nikon Z50, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Nikon Z50 Shooter's Report

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-3 III, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-3 III First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon Z50

Pentax KP

$807
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 III

Pentax KP

$1847
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax KP

Compared to Canon EOS M50

Nikon Z50

Canon EOS M50

$807
APS-C

Larger sensor
Longer stills battery life

$579
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Canon EOS M50

Pentax K-3 III

Canon EOS M50

$1847
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$579
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Canon EOS M50

Compared to Sony A6400

Nikon Z50

Sony A6400

$807
APS-C

Lacks anti-aliasing filter
Higher extended ISO

$798
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
NFC

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Sony A6400

Pentax K-3 III

Sony A6400

$1847
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$798
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A6400

Compared to Canon 90D

Nikon Z50

Canon 90D

$807
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1099
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Canon 90D

Pentax K-3 III

Canon 90D

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1099
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Canon 90D

Compared to Fujifilm X-S10

Nikon Z50

Fujifilm X-S10

$807
APS-C

Less expensive
Wider angle kit lens

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Slower slow-motion

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Fujifilm X-S10

Pentax K-3 III

Fujifilm X-S10

$1847
APS-C

Lens selection
High resolution composite

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Fujifilm X-S10

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