Sony A77 vs Pentax K-50

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Sony A77 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 A77 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A77.

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 Sony A77 II
Compare A77 vs A77 II

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

Compare SONY A77 II vs PENTAX K-70

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Differences

Sony A77 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
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
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
19 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
11.6 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax K-50 advantages over Sony A77

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 A77 test data on DxO Mark

1,120 vs 801 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Lighter weight
904g vs 1363g
Lighter weight
Bigger JPEG buffer
30 vs 17 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 16000 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
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read A77 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-50 User Reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A77

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 16-50mm Lens
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

All A77 Deals

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

Review Excerpt

Very fast top frame rate; full-time phase-detect autofocus; Full 60p HD video; Excellent kit lens; Very good high-resolution sensor.
Heavy; EVF appears dim when used in bright light; AF tracking in Movie mode was unreliable in our testing.
Read our Sony A77 Full Review

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 Canon 7D

Sony A77

Canon 7D

$1899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$1499
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A77 vs Canon 7D

Pentax K-50

Canon 7D

$149
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$1499
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Canon 7D

Compared to Sony A57

Sony A77

Sony A57

$1899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in GPS

$800
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A77 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 Sony A37

Sony A77

Sony A37

$1899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in GPS

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A77 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 Canon 70D

Sony A77

Canon 70D

$1899
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A77 vs Canon 70D

Pentax K-50

Canon 70D

$149
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Canon 70D

Compared to Sony A77 II

Sony A77

Sony A77 II

$1899
APS-C

Built-in GPS

$1198
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

Compare Sony A77 vs Sony A77 II

Pentax K-50

Sony A77 II

$149
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1198
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Sony A77 II

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