Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 vs Pentax K-50

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 and the Pentax K-50, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 was introduced in July 2008 and Pentax K-50 was introduced in November 2013. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 over Pentax K-50.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax K-50 over Sony Alpha DSLR-A200.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 has a 2.7" screen with 230k dot resolution and Pentax K-50 has a 3.0" screen with 921k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.

Viewfinder

Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinderPentax K-50 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 has 95% coverage with 0.83x (0.55x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Pentax K-50 has 100% coverage with 0.92x (0.61x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 features a 10.2 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 372.9 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200. Pentax K-50 features a 16.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.7 x 15.7 mm and a total area of 246.5 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 51,600.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 can take pictures up to 3872 x 2592 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3872 x 2176, 2896 x 1936, 2896 x 1632, 1920 x 1280, 1920 x 1088. Pentax K-50 is equipped with PRIME M processor and can take pictures up to 4928 x 3264 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4224 x 2816, 3456 x 2304, 2688 x 1792 with 3:2 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 has Sony A lens mount and Pentax K-50 has Pentax K_AF2 lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.

In-Body Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when cameras are paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

USB Inputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer.

Battery

Pentax K-50 comes with D-LI109 battery pack with battery life of 410 shots.

External Storage Slots

Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 has a single Compact Flash (Type I/II) card slot. Pentax K-50 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot.

Shutter

Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 has Electronically controlled Vertical-traverse Focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha DSLR-A200, and up to 1/6000 sec on Pentax K-50. Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps. Pentax K-50 can shoot continuously up to 6.0 fps.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100.. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Proprietary Hot Shoe (compatible with Minolta and select Sony flashes) to Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 and via Hot Shoe or Wireless connection to Pentax K-50. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec on Pentax K-50.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 body has dimensions of 131 x 99 x 71 mm (5.16 x 3.9 x 2.8") and Pentax K-50 body has dimensions of 130 x 97 x 71 mm (5.12 x 3.82 x 2.8"). Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 weighs 572 g (1.26 lb / 20.18 oz) and Pentax K-50 weighs 650 g (1.43 lb / 22.93 oz).

Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

Pentax K-50

131 mm

99 mm

130 mm

97 mm

99 mm

97 mm

71 mm

71 mm