• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Pentax K-500
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:   Panasonic ZS60
ZS50 vs ZS60
General
Model Number: K-500 ZS50
Alternate Model Number(s):   TZ70
Camera Format: SLR Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $599.95 $399.99
Street Price: $596.95 $279.00
Date Available: 2013-07-15 2015-04-01
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 30.1 oz (852 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
8.6 oz (243 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.1 x 3.8 x 2.8 in.
(130 x 97 x 71 mm)
4.4 x 2.5 x 1.4 in.
(111 x 65 x 34 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 16.3 12.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 372.09mm2 (23.70mm x 15.70mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.81 microns 1.54 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed  
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 79 44
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.7 20.0
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.1 11.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,087 138
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4928 x 3264 (16.1 MP, Other),
4224 x 2816 (11.9 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2688 x 1792 (4.8 MP, 3:2)
4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2672 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
3840 x 2160 (8.3 MP, 16:9),
2448 x 2448 (6.0 MP, 1:1),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1712 (4.4 MP, 3:2),
2560 x 1440 (3.7 MP, 16:9),
1920 x 1920 (3.7 MP, 1:1),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1360 (2.8 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1536 x 1536 (2.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 12-bit RAW (.DNG), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF v2.3), MPO, RAW, RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.0 10.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
640x480 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​60i/​30p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (30p)
1280x720 (120p)
640x480 (240p)
Movie File Format: MOV MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with monaural audio AVCHD or MP4 with stereo audio
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes No
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No
HD Video Out: No Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3) n/a
Lens: smc PENTAX-DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL; 11 elements in 8 groups, 6 bladed diaphragm LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR, 12 elements in 9 groups with 5 Aspherical elements, 10 Aspherical surfaces and 3 ED elements
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 24 - 720mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 4.3 - 129mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.06x 30.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - f/22 (wide) / f/5.6 - f/38 (tele) f/3.3 - 8.0 (W) / f/6.4 - 8.0 (T) Multistage Iris Diaphragm
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   3 cm to Infinity
1.2 in to Infinity
Filter Thread: 52.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Phase Detect:: SAFOX IXi+, 11 point (9 cross type focus point in the center), with light wavelength sensor and diffraction lens; Live View: Contrast detection AF (face detection, tracking, select, spot) Contrast Detect: Face / AF Tracking / 23pt / 1pt / Spot / Touch Area
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.92x mag., -2.5 to +1.5 diopter, 21.7mm eyepoint (from view window), Natural-Bright-Matte III focusing screen (interchangeable) EVF: 0.2-inch, 1,166K dots equiv. LCD; 100% Coverage, Lens 19.6x Magnification: Approx. 2.56x / 0.46x (35 mm camera equivalent), Eye Sensor
Focus Peaking: Yes Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 389,000 dots (129,600 pixels)
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.61x 0.46x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.92x 2.56x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots (307,200 px) 1,040,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 16.0x 16.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 51200 6400
Minimum ISO (native): 100 80
ISO Settings: Auto, 100-51200 (1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps) Auto, iISO,80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent (D, N, W, L), Tungsten, Flash, CTE, 3 Manual and 3 Kelvin temperature presets Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, White Set
Shutter Speed Range: 1/6000 - 30 sec 1/2000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: TTL open-aperture: 77-segment, Center-weighted, Spot Intelligent Multiple, Center Weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Sensitivity Priority, Shutter and Aperture Priority, Scene (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night Scene Portrait, Sunset, Blue Sky, Forest, Night Scene, Night Scene HDR*, Night Snap, Food, Pet, Kids, Surf & Snow, Backlight Silhouette, Candlelight, Stage Lighting, Museum, *JPEG only); Extract Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Color; Dynamic range adjustment (Highlight, Shadow); HDR: Auto, HDR 1, HDR 2, HDR 3 Panorama Shot, Scene (Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Handheld Night Shot, Food, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High Sensitivity, Glass Through, HDR, Starry Sky, High Speed Video, 3D Photo), Creative Control (Expressive, Retro, Old Days, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Miniature Effect, Soft Focus, Star Filter, One Point Color (15 filters))
Self Timer: 2 or 12 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: P-TTL: On, Redeye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync + Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Depends on lens Auto ISO: 0.6 - 6.4m (Wide), 1.0 - 3.3m (Tele)
Max Flash Sync: 1/180  
Flash Exposure Compensation: -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.DNG), RAW+JPEG RAW, RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with monaural audio AVCHD or MP4 with stereo audio
Included Memory: No memory included 86.0 MB
Included Memory Type:   Internal
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wired or IR Via Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): Wired remote port Micro (Type-D) HDMI, Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):    
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press?
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.0 10.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 30 6
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):    
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused):    
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time:    
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   300 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 710 shots (Lithium AA) 300 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: 4 x AA or proprietary D--LI109 Lithion-ion Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: AA (Alkaline, NiMH, Lithium) or optional D-LI109 Lithium-ion rechargeable 3.6V, 1250mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 4 x AA Lithium disposables 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: No
Internal Charging Supported: Yes
Software
Included Software: Software CDROM (SILKYPIX Developer Studio for PENTAX included) PHOTOfunSTUDIO 9.6 PE, LoiLoScope (trial version), Adobe Reader
OS Compatibility:    
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Entry-level model: Similar to K-50 in IQ and performance, but not weather sealed, comes with 4 Energizer lithium AAs, and only available in black. 30x zoom with optical image stabilization, 12.1MP High Sensitivity MOS sensor, 1166k-dot EVF with eye-sensor, 1080p60 video, 10fps full-res burst shooting, built-in Wi-Fi with NFC. Available in black or silver.