Pentax
K-50
Weather-sealed entry APS-C DSLR with IBIS and AA filter simulator at an accessible price.
$599
Launch priceReleased Jun 2013
Sony
Alpha 1 II
50MP stacked flagship with 30fps RAW, 8K video, and Sony's fastest hybrid performance.
$6,499
Launch priceReleased Nov 2024
Alpha 1 II is 11.4 years newer.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Wins
K-50
Wins
Alpha 1 II
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 1 II has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 101)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 2,360,000)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher RAW buffer depth (200 frames vs 60 frames)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher Resolution (50.1 MP vs 16.3 MP)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher IBIS effectiveness (8.5 stops vs 3 stops)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareK-50
129 × 97 × 70 mm
590 g (1.30 lb / 20.81 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 1 II
136 × 97 × 83 mm
743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)
K-50 is 7mm narrower and 13mm thinner than Alpha 1 II.
K-50 is 153 g lighter than Alpha 1 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 70mm K-50 · 83mm Alpha 1 II
Sensor size, to scale
K-50
23.7 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
372 mm² area
Alpha 1 II
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
K-50
Pentax K
70+
native lenses available
Alpha 1 II
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
K-50
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 129, 96.5, 70
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
Weight
590 g vs 743 g — lower is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 520 shots — higher is better
AF frame coverage
100 % vs 94 % — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 1 II
AF low-light limit
-4 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
AF points / zones
759 vs 101 — higher is better
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
200 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Resolution
50.1 MP vs 16.3 MP — higher is better
IBIS effectiveness
8.5 stops vs 3 stops — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 11 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 150 Mbps
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
K-50
Pros
- ✓Weather sealed entry
- ✓IBIS
- ✓AA filter simulator
- ✓Great used value
Cons
- –16MP sensor
- –DSLR platform
- –Limited video
Alpha 1 II
Pros
- ✓50MP stacked sensor
- ✓30fps blackout-free burst
- ✓8K 30p video
- ✓Best Sony AF
Cons
- –Very expensive
- –Complex menus
- –Large files
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the K-50 and Alpha 1 II at major authorized retailers.
Pentax K-50
Sony Alpha 1 II
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, K-50 or Alpha 1 II?
Alpha 1 II scores 9.0/10 versus 2.5/10 for K-50 — 50.1MP — massive detail for large prints.
What's the resolution difference between the K-50 and Alpha 1 II?
K-50 is 16.3 MP and Alpha 1 II is 50.1 MP, so the Alpha 1 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the K-50 and Alpha 1 II have in-body image stabilization?
K-50 has 3-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 1 II has 8.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the K-50 or the Alpha 1 II?
K-50 reaches 11 fps electronic. Alpha 1 II reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the K-50 and Alpha 1 II?
K-50 weighs 590 g and Alpha 1 II weighs 743 g, so the K-50 is 153 g lighter.
Do the K-50 and Alpha 1 II record 4K video?
K-50: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 1 II: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the K-50 and Alpha 1 II weather sealed?
K-50: Yes. Alpha 1 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the K-50 and 520 shots for the Alpha 1 II, giving the K-50 the edge.
How much does each cost?
K-50 launched at $599 and Alpha 1 II at $6,499. The K-50 is $5,900 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way K-50 vs Alpha 1 II vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Pentax and Sony press materials.