Pentax K-50 vs Nikon D5600

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Pentax K-50 vs Nikon D5600

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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 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5600 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5600 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5600.
Compare Nikon D5600 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5600 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-70
Compare K-50 vs K-70
Compare Pentax K-70 vs Nikon D5600

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Differences

Pentax K-50 advantages over Nikon D5600

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Less expensive
$149 vs $897
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
More viewfinder magnification
0.61x vs 0.55x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
6.0 fps vs 5.1 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 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D5600 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
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.
D5600 test data on DxO Mark K-50 test data on DxO Mark

1,306 vs 1,120 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

970 vs 480 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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
Lighter weight
670g vs 904g
Lighter weight
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
More AF points
39 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-50 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5600 User Reviews

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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 Nikon D5600

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-140mm lens
Kit with 18-55mm and 70-300mm lenses
Kit with 18-55mm lens

All D5600 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

Compact camera body; Very good touchscreen display; Excellent image quality for its class; Good overall performance.
Not many improvements compared to its predecessor, with some downgrades; No 4K video recording.
Read our Nikon D5600 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

Nikon D5600

Canon T3

$898
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$199
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D5600 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

Nikon D5600

Sony A57

$898
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5600 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

Nikon D5600

Sony A37

$898
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$600
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5600 vs Sony A37

Compared to Nikon D5500

Pentax K-50

Nikon D5500

$149
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$797
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Nikon D5500

Nikon D5600

Nikon D5500

$898
APS-C

Fast startup
NFC

$797
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5600 vs Nikon D5500

Compared to Pentax KP

Pentax K-50

Pentax KP

$149
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$999
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
High resolution composite

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Pentax KP

Nikon D5600

Pentax KP

$898
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5600 vs Pentax KP

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