For beginners looking into DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras, the two big go-to names tend to be Nikon and Canon. However, there are some other brands that are well worth considering, including Pentax. In fact, the Pentax K-50 rounded out our picks for Best DSLR Cameras for Beginners thanks to its fantastic lineup of features.
Specs
Here are some of the key specs of the Pentax K-50:
- Weather resistant body
- Stabilized 16 MP CMOS sensor
- ISO up to 51200
- Continuous Shooting 6fps
- 100% Pentaprism viewfinder
- Eye-Fi Card Compatibility with Eye-Fi wireless SD cards
- Full 1080p h.264 HD video recording
Designed for Use
One of the flashiest features of the K-50 is the body design. While few newcomers to digital photography are buying their first DSLR for the look of it, the added options of white or red are kind of a nice addition to the sea of black cameras. But the K-50 isn’t just a pretty face – it’s weather resistant, dustproof, and designed with the outdoors in mind. It also offers comfortable grips and it’s lightweight, perfect for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Many users note the ease of use when it comes to the menu system. Any setting you might need is easy to find and quick to get to. This adds to the appeal for outdoorsy photographers who want to quickly update settings to capture nature’s fast-changing landscapes and wildlife.
Features & Function
For an entry level DSLR and given the price point, the K-50 has all the features and specs a beginner will need or want. The picture quality is consistently great, and the auto features enable newbies to capture great shots right out of the box. There’s plenty to learn with the K-50, but the menu system makes that easy.
The Pentax K-50 boasts nearly 6 frames per second in high-speed continuous mode (taking up to 30 JPEGs or 8 RAW shots in a burst). It also provides a max shutter speed of 1/6000 second and an 11-point (9 cross type) autofocus system with subject tracking. The SR mechanism does an excellent job of compensating for camera shake, and delivers consistently sharp images, even under the most typically shaky conditions.
Save Some $$…
The K-50 is no more, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grab it at an excellent price. The new and upgraded K-70 offers some appealing new perks over the K-50, but the price of the remaining K-50s just can’t be beaten. At that price (under $500), it’s worth every penny, even without the fancy offers of the K-70.
…Or Take the Upgrade
Though we don’t have a full report on the K-70 just yet, the word on the street is that it has some great updates. You will probably spend a few hundred bucks more, though.
Bottom Line: We recommend grabbing a Pentax K-50 while you can. You’ll save a ton of money off the original price (and from the price of the new K-70) and you’ll get some great features. Outdoorsy types will especially love the K-50’s design.
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