Pentax K-50 vs Canon 77D

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Pentax K-50 vs Canon 77D

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APS-C 372.1mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

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

APS-C 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 77D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 77D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 77D.
Compare Canon 77D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 77D conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-70
Compare K-50 vs K-70
Compare Pentax K-70 vs Canon 77D

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Differences

Pentax K-50 advantages over Canon 77D

Less expensive
$149 vs $799
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 3.72 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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-50 test data on DxO Mark 77D test data on DxO Mark

1,120 vs 971 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
More viewfinder magnification
0.61x vs 0.51x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon 77D advantages over Pentax K-50

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

600 vs 480 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
216 mm vs 83 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
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
45 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
8 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
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
More AF points
45 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Bigger JPEG buffer
167 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-50 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 77D User Reviews

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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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 77D

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm lens
Kit with 18-55mm lens

All 77D Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-50, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-50 First Shots

Very good image quality; Improved dynamic range at low ISOs; Very fast autofocus; Dual Pixel CMOS AF in Live View; Much improved RAW buffer depth; 1080/60p video; Quick Control Dial & top-panel LCD screen.
Default JPEGs slightly soft straight out of camera; Dynamic range & high ISOs lag behind competing cameras; No 4K video resolution.
Read our Canon 77D Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon T3

Pentax K-50

Canon T3

$149
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$199
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Canon T3

Canon 77D

Canon T3

$550
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$199
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Canon 77D vs Canon T3

Compared to 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

Canon 77D

Sony A57

$550
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon 77D vs Sony A57

Compared to 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

Canon 77D

Sony A37

$550
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$600
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon 77D vs Sony A37

Compared to Canon T6s

Pentax K-50

Canon T6s

$149
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$619
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Canon T6s

Canon 77D

Canon T6s

$550
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Bluetooth

$619
APS-C

Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Canon 77D vs Canon T6s

Compared to Pentax K-70

Pentax K-50

Pentax K-70

$149
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$597
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-70

Canon 77D

Pentax K-70

$550
APS-C

Touchscreen
Fast startup

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon 77D vs Pentax K-70

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