Sony A65 vs Pentax K-50

Cameras
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Sony A65 vs Pentax K-50

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APS-C 369.7mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A65 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A65.

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.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-70
Compare K-50 vs K-70
Compare Sony A65 vs Pentax K-70

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Differences

Sony A65 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 GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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
15 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax K-50 advantages over Sony A65

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 3.95 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
K-50 test data on DxO Mark A65 test data on DxO Mark

1,120 vs 717 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 3
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
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

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 Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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 A65 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-50 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A65

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55m Lens

All A65 Deals

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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

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Sony A65.
Read our Sony A65 Initial Test

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

The Competition

Compared to Sony A57

Sony A65

Sony A57

$798
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in GPS

$800
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A65 vs 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

Compared to Nikon D3200

Sony A65

Nikon D3200

$798
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$477
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A65 vs Nikon D3200

Pentax K-50

Nikon D3200

$149
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$477
APS-C

External Mic Jack
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Nikon D3200

Compared to Sony A37

Sony A65

Sony A37

$798
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in GPS

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A65 vs 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

Compared to Nikon D5200

Sony A65

Nikon D5200

$798
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$500
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A65 vs Nikon D5200

Pentax K-50

Nikon D5200

$149
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$500
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Nikon D5200

Compared to Sony A58

Sony A65

Sony A58

$798
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in GPS

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Sony A65 vs Sony A58

Pentax K-50

Sony A58

$149
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$598
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Sony A58

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