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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61
Pentax K-30 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-r Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced October 2012
  • Later Model is Pentax K-50
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Announced March 2011
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Pentax K-30 versus Pentax K-r, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both produced by Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-30 (16MP) and K-r (12MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-30 was introduced 20 months after the K-r which makes them a generation away from each other. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going into a full comparison, here is a short overview of how the K-30 grades against the K-r with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax K-r

 K-30 K-r 
AnnouncedOctober 2012March 2011Newer by 20 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Pentax K-30

 K-r K-30 

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-r

 K-30 K-r 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution921k921kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-30 has got outside measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-r has measurements of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-30 versus Pentax K-r in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the K-30 and the K-r.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the K-30 and K-r is 63 and 67 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions merely by looking at specs. The picture below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the K-30 and K-r.

All in all, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Pentax K-30 to give you extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots way more aggressively. The newer K-30 should have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-r Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-r Portrait photography details
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
63
focusing manually
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography information
Pentax K-r Street photography information
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
fixed screen
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 Sports photography info
Pentax K-r Sports photography info
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
bad battery (410 per charge)
55
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
bad battery pack (470 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-30
Travel photography with Pentax K-r
60
weather proof
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
bad battery (410 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
47
flash built-in
bad battery pack (470 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-r Landscape photography factors
73
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
bad battery (410 CIPA)
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
bad battery pack (470 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-30
Vlogging with Pentax K-r
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone socket
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
does not have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone jack
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-r
 Pentax K-30Pentax K-r
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-30 Pentax K-r
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2012-10-29 2011-03-11
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime M Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650 gr (1.43 pounds) 598 gr (1.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 79 72
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 12.4
DXO Low light score 1129 755
Other
Battery life 410 photographs 470 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Launch price $525 $1,100