• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Pentax K-50 advantages over Sony A77 II

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $149 vs $1798
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Lighter weight
    904g vs 1351g
    Lighter weight

Sony A77 II advantages over Pentax K-50

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
    15 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.61x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • More AF points
    79 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.5 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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

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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
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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A77 II
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 16-50mm Lens
All A77 II Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality, especially lower ISOs; Improved high ISO performance when using RAW; Very good dynamic range; High-resolution images; Very fast single-shot autofocus; 12fps burst mode with C-AF; Good value for its class.

  • Lackluster continuous AF performance; Strong NR processing in high ISO JPEGs; Sluggish buffer clearing; Short battery life compared to most DSLRs; Joystick control easy to press accidentally.

  • Read our Sony A77 II 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

Sony A77 II
Canon T3
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A77 II 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

Sony A77 II
Sony A57
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Lighter weight

Compare Sony A77 II 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

Sony A77 II
Sony A37
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Lighter weight

Compare Sony A77 II vs Sony A37

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Pentax K-50
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Canon 7D Mark II

Sony A77 II
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A77 II vs Canon 7D Mark II

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-50
Nikon D7200
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Nikon D7200

Sony A77 II
Nikon D7200
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A77 II vs Nikon D7200

Compare Other Cameras?