Pentax K-50 vs Canon SX530 HS

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-50 vs Canon SX530 HS

Leave Feedback

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.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
16.0 megapixels
24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX530 HS Review.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-70
Compare K-50 vs K-70

Succeeded by the Canon SX540 HS
Compare SX530 HS vs SX540 HS

Compare PENTAX K-70 vs CANON SX540 HS

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-50 advantages over Canon SX530 HS

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Less expensive
$149 vs $259*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 1.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
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

480 vs 210 shots
Capture more photos
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Higher-res screen
307k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Longer exposure
30 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
6.0 fps vs 1.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX530 HS advantages over Pentax K-50

Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

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 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
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-50 User Reviews

Buy From

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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX530 HS

Canon SX530

All SX530 HS 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

We haven’t reviewed the Canon SX530 HS.
Read our Canon SX530 HS Preview

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 SX530 HS

Canon T3

$259
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Built-in Wi-Fi

$199
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX530 HS 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 SX530 HS

Sony A57

$259
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX530 HS 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 SX530 HS

Sony A37

$259
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

$600
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX530 HS vs Sony A37

Compared to Canon SX520 HS

Pentax K-50

Canon SX520 HS

$149
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$345
1/2.3 inch

HDMI out
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Canon SX520 HS

Canon SX530 HS

Canon SX520 HS

$259
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
More telephoto lens reach

$345
1/2.3 inch

Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon SX530 HS vs Canon SX520 HS

Compared to Canon SX540 HS

Pentax K-50

Canon SX540 HS

$149
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$364
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Canon SX540 HS

Canon SX530 HS

Canon SX540 HS

$259
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive

$364
1/2.3 inch

More pixels
Shoots 60p video

Compare Canon SX530 HS vs Canon SX540 HS

Compare Other Cameras?