Pentax K-50 vs Sony SLT Alpha 35 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 16.28 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-50
57
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 16 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 35
50
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K-50 and Sony SLT Alpha 35 are both APS-C DSLRs from different lens systems: the K-50 takes Pentax KAF lenses, the A35 Sony Alpha DT glass. The K-50 is the newer camera, released in 2013 against 2011 for the A35. The A35 is the much lighter body, at 415 g against 650 g. Its 124 x 92 x 85 mm frame is narrower and shorter than the K-50's 130 x 97 x 71 mm, though deeper. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2013 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 12, 2013 | June 8, 2011 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 130 x 97 x 71 mm | 124 x 92 x 85 mm |
| Camera weight | 650 g | 415 g |
| Optics | 62/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe K-50 is the stronger body at the extremes of exposure. Its 1/6000 second top shutter gives shorter exposures than the A35's 1/4000 for bright light or wide apertures, and its 6 fps burst runs slightly ahead of the A35's 5.5 fps. Its ISO range reaches 51200, against a native 12800 ceiling on the A35. Pixel counts are nearly the same, 16.28 MP against 16 MP, so neither gives meaningful extra cropping room. The sensors are both APS-C CMOS, and both cameras offer in-body stabilisation for handheld shots with any mounted lens. The A35 has 15 autofocus points against 11, giving more positions for off-centre subjects. Its electronic viewfinder has 1,150,000 dots, against the K-50's optical pentaprism. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.28 MP050 | 16 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4928 x 3264 | 4912 x 3264 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.7 x 23.7 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
6 fps045 | 5.5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Pentax KAF | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Prime M | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
512003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
512003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
600080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 150300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 115000009900000 |
| Video | 57/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Sony SLT Alpha 35 is the better pick for motion work. Its video frame-rate ceiling of 60 fps, double the K-50's 30 fps, suits smooth playback and gives room to slow footage for slow-motion effects. The two share the same maximum video resolution, Full HD, so neither offers 4K. For time-lapse projects such as drifting clouds or a sunset, the K-50 has built-in timelapse, while the A35 does not. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4 | MP4, AVCHD |
| Features | 54/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Pentax K-50 has weather sealing, making it the safer body for rain, spray or dusty trails. The A35 instead offers a flip screen, so you can tilt the display for waist-level candid work or overhead framing in a crowd. The screen and flash setup is shared: both carry a 3-inch LCD with 921,000 dots, live view and a built-in flash, and both support external flash units. Neither includes GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so image transfer and geotagging need add-ons. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 24/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe A35 accepts more card types, taking SD, SDHC and SDXC plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo, while the K-50 takes SD-family cards only. Its rated battery life is also longer, at 440 shots against 410. Storage layout is shared: each camera has a single card slot, and neither charges its battery over USB. The batteries differ, NP-FW50 for Sony and D-LI109 for Pentax, so spares are not interchangeable. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | D-LI109 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
410 shots1505000 | 440 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Pentax K-50 if your photography happens outdoors. Weather sealing, the 1/6000 second top shutter, the 6 fps burst and built-in timelapse together suit landscape, wildlife and adventure shooting.
Choose the Sony SLT Alpha 35 for lighter travel and motion work. It is the lighter body at 415 g against 650 g, and its flip screen helps with candid and overhead angles. Its 60 fps frame-rate ceiling supports smooth or slowed playback. Since the mounts differ, the lens system you prefer matters too.