• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Pentax K-50 advantages over Panasonic GX7

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.77 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,120 vs 718 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 480 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GX7 advantages over Pentax K-50

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    54 mm vs 71 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/320 vs 1/180 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    532g vs 904g
    Lighter weight
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.61x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.7 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 30 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

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Buy the Pentax K-50

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX7

Review Excerpt

  • Sharp retro design and solid build; High resolution, tiltable electronic viewfinder and LCD touchscreen monitor; Competitive still image quality; Very good video quality, recording Full HD at frame rates up to 60p; Fast autofocusing and all-around performance; Robust Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities, including remote shooting when paired with a smart device

  • Weak built-in flash; No external mic or headphone jack for video recording; Some poor results when shooting in Creative Panorama mode

The Competition

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
Panasonic GX7
Sony A57
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

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
Panasonic GX7
Sony A37
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

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
Panasonic GX7
Nikon D3300
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $206
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compared to Olympus E-M10

Pentax K-50
Olympus E-M10
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic GX7
Olympus E-M10
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Olympus E-M5 II

Pentax K-50
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $149
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic GX7
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
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