• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.1 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 8.3 megapixels
  • 15.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax E50 advantages over Nikon 170

  • Less expensive
    $150 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    112 mm vs 15 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    23 mm vs 42 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    4 vs 1/2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Nikon 170 advantages over Pentax E50

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Newer
    8 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    345k vs 110k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    15 mm vs 37 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Samsung S860

Pentax E50
Samsung S860
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure
Nikon 170
Samsung S860
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Waterproof
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Samsung S760

Pentax E50
Samsung S760
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $169
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure
Nikon 170
Samsung S760
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Waterproof
  • $169
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony DSC-S780

Pentax E50
Sony DSC-S780
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
Nikon 170
Sony DSC-S780
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Waterproof
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Nokia N8

Pentax E50
Nokia N8
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
Nikon 170
Nokia N8
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Samsung Galaxy S II

Pentax E50
Samsung Galaxy S II
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Nikon 170
Samsung Galaxy S II
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash
Compare Other Cameras?