• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Pentax K-5 II advantages over Nikon Z50

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 320 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    203 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon Z50 advantages over Pentax K-5 II

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Newer
    5 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    533g vs 1200g
    Lighter weight
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.68x vs 0.61x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    20.9 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.0 fps vs 6.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.0 fps vs 6.7 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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 Pentax K-5 II

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z50

Review Excerpt

  • Compact yet control-rich body packs in the features; Updated autofocus system focuses in near-darkness; Fully weather-sealed; Sharp, detailed images with very good dynamic range; In-body image stabilization; Dual-axis level with horizon correction.

  • Can seem intimidating at first; Fewer autofocus points than competitors; Doesn't take advantage of high-speed UHS-I flash cards; Movie feature set is very dated and file sizes huge.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7000

Pentax K-5 II
Nikon D7000
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon Z50
Nikon D7000
  • $790
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5 II
Pentax K-30
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Nikon Z50
Pentax K-30
  • $790
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon T4i

Pentax K-5 II
Canon T4i
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Nikon Z50
Canon T4i
  • $790
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon EOS M50

Pentax K-5 II
Canon EOS M50
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Nikon Z50
Canon EOS M50
  • $790
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Fujifilm X-S10

Pentax K-5 II
Fujifilm X-S10
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1199
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Nikon Z50
Fujifilm X-S10
  • $790
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Wider angle kit lens
  • $1199
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion
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