Pentax K-50 vs Canon SX510 HS

Cameras
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Pentax K-50 vs Canon SX510 HS

APS-C 372.1mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-50 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-50.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
12.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX510 HS Review.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-70
Compare K-50 vs K-70

Succeeded by the Canon SX520 HS
Compare SX510 HS vs SX520 HS

Compare PENTAX K-70 vs CANON SX520 HS

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Differences

Pentax K-50 advantages over Canon SX510 HS

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 1.54 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
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

480 vs 250 shots
Capture more photos
Higher-res screen
307k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More pixels
16.3 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Longer exposure
30 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/1600 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX510 HS advantages over Pentax K-50

Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Faster JPEG shooting
10.5 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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 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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-50 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-50

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm lenses
Kit with 18-55mm lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX510 HS

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-50, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-50 First Shots

We haven’t finished our review of the Canon SX510 HS, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Canon SX510 HS First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SP-610UZ

Pentax K-50

Olympus SP-610UZ

$149
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$230
1/2.3 inch

HDMI out

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Olympus SP-610UZ

Canon SX510 HS

Olympus SP-610UZ

$199
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
More telephoto lens reach

$230
1/2.3 inch

Longer stills battery life
More pixels

Compare Canon SX510 HS vs Olympus SP-610UZ

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

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Sony A57

Canon SX510 HS

Sony A57

$199
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX510 HS vs Sony A57

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

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Sony A37

Canon SX510 HS

Sony A37

$199
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$600
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX510 HS vs Sony A37

Compared to Nikon D3300

Pentax K-50

Nikon D3300

$149
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$206
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Nikon D3300

Canon SX510 HS

Nikon D3300

$199
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Built-in Wi-Fi

$206
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX510 HS vs Nikon D3300

Compared to Canon SX400 IS

Pentax K-50

Canon SX400 IS

$149
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$149
1/2.3 inch

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Canon SX400 IS

Canon SX510 HS

Canon SX400 IS

$199
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
Built-in Wi-Fi

$149
1/2.3 inch

More pixels

Compare Canon SX510 HS vs Canon SX400 IS

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