Pentax K-50 vs Panasonic GX9

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Pentax K-50 vs Panasonic GX9

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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.

4/3 224.9mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX9 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX9.
Compare Panasonic GX9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX9 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-70
Compare K-50 vs K-70
Compare Pentax K-70 vs Panasonic GX9

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Differences

Pentax K-50 advantages over Panasonic GX9

Less expensive
$149 vs $798
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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 260 shots
Capture more photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GX9 advantages over Pentax K-50

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
More telephoto lens reach
120 mm vs 83 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Thinner
46 mm vs 71 mm
Thinner
Newer
7 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
660g vs 904g
Lighter weight
Higher-res screen
413k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.61x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
20.3 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
9.2 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
140 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/6000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
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
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
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX9 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 Panasonic GX9

Kit with 12-60mm lens (Black)

Kit with 12-60mm lens (Black)
Kit with 12-60mm lens (Silver)

All GX9 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

Great image quality; Good high ISO performance for its class; Improved JPEG processing; Fast autofocus; Fast ~9fps burst mode.
Smallish field-sequential EVF; Below average battery life; No mic/headphone jacks; Noticeable crop on 4K video.
Read our Panasonic GX9 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

Panasonic GX9

Canon T3

$898
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$199
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX9 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

Panasonic GX9

Sony A57

$898
4/3

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX9 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

Panasonic GX9

Sony A37

$898
4/3

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Sony A37

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Pentax K-50

Panasonic GX85

$149
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$598
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GX9

Panasonic GX85

$898
4/3

Built-in Bluetooth
More telephoto lens reach

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-M10 III

Pentax K-50

Olympus E-M10 III

$149
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$549
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Olympus E-M10 III

Panasonic GX9

Olympus E-M10 III

$898
4/3

In-camera panoramas
Built-in Bluetooth

$549
4/3

Longer stills battery life
Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Olympus E-M10 III

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