• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Pentax K-50 advantages over Canon EOS M5

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $149 vs $699
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.72 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 480 vs 295 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    83 mm vs 72 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon EOS M5 advantages over Pentax K-50

  • 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,262 vs 1,120 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    7 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    557g vs 904g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.2 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-50

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M5

Review Excerpt

  • Enthusiast-oriented compact camera body; Good image quality in most situations; Built-in electronic viewfinder; Impressive Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Very good overall performance.

  • High ISO image quality and dynamic range aren't quite up to par with some of its competition; No 4K video recording; Native EF-M lens selection is still limited; Below average battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Canon T3

Pentax K-50
Canon T3
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
Canon EOS M5
Canon T3
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $199
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A57

Pentax K-50
Sony A57
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
Canon EOS M5
Sony A57
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A37

Pentax K-50
Sony A37
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
Canon EOS M5
Sony A37
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro2

Pentax K-50
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Canon EOS M5
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon EOS M50

Pentax K-50
Canon EOS M50
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
Canon EOS M5
Canon EOS M50
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
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