• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 675.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

Buy From

Differences

Nikon L820 advantages over Pentax K-50

  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-50 advantages over Nikon L820

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    30 vs 6 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 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon L820

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-50

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon L810

Nikon L820
Nikon L810
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
Pentax K-50
Nikon L810
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out

Compared to Sony A37

Nikon L820
Sony A37
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Pentax K-50
Sony A37
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Samsung WB100

Nikon L820
Samsung WB100
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Pentax K-50
Samsung WB100
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Nikon D3300

Nikon L820
Nikon D3300
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Pentax K-50
Nikon D3300
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Fujifilm S8600

Nikon L820
Fujifilm S8600
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Pentax K-50
Fujifilm S8600
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Integrated ND filter
Compare Other Cameras?