Sony NEX-7 vs Pentax K-50

Cameras
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Sony NEX-7 vs Pentax K-50

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-7 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NEX-7.

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 NEX-7 vs Pentax K-70

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Differences

Sony NEX-7 advantages over Pentax K-50

In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Thinner
42 mm vs 71 mm
Thinner
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
Lighter weight
560g vs 904g
Lighter weight
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
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax K-50 advantages over Sony NEX-7

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 3.92 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 NEX-7 test data on DxO Mark

1,120 vs 1,016 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Bigger JPEG buffer
30 vs 18 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
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
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
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
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
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 NEX-7 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-50 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony NEX-7

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All NEX-7 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

24.3-megapixel sensor with excellent image quality; Small body; Exceptional user interface; Full HD 60p video; Electronic viewfinder and flash are built-in.
No Mode dial; Flash sync is a touch slow; No UHS-I card support; Needs a better kit lens to match the sensor quality.
Read our Sony NEX-7 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 Samsung NX200

Sony NEX-7

Samsung NX200

$1248
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$600
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony NEX-7 vs Samsung NX200

Pentax K-50

Samsung NX200

$149
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$600
APS-C

Thinner
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Samsung NX200

Compared to Sony A37

Sony NEX-7

Sony A37

$1248
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Thinner

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony NEX-7 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 Fujifilm X-E1

Sony NEX-7

Fujifilm X-E1

$1248
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Fast startup

$899
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Doesn't require an AA filter

Compare Sony NEX-7 vs Fujifilm X-E1

Pentax K-50

Fujifilm X-E1

$149
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$899
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Thinner

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Fujifilm X-E1

Compared to Samsung NX300

Sony NEX-7

Samsung NX300

$1248
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$1200
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Sony NEX-7 vs Samsung NX300

Pentax K-50

Samsung NX300

$149
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$1200
APS-C

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Samsung NX300

Compared to Nikon D3300

Sony NEX-7

Nikon D3300

$1248
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tiltable Screen

$367
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony NEX-7 vs Nikon D3300

Pentax K-50

Nikon D3300

$149
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$367
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Nikon D3300

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