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Pentax K-r vs Pentax K-x

Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K-r front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Pentax K-r vs Pentax K-x Key Specs

Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Announced March 2011
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Announced December 2009
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Pentax K-r vs Pentax K-x Overview

The following is a complete assessment of the Pentax K-r and Pentax K-x, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras and they are both built by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the K-r (12MP) and the K-x (12MP) is pretty similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-r was introduced 15 months after the K-x which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the K-r scores versus the K-x for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 K-r K-x 
AnnouncedMarch 2011December 2009Newer by 15 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

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

 K-x K-r 

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

 K-r K-x 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Pentax K-r vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-r enjoys physical dimensions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Pentax K-x has measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

See the Pentax K-r and Pentax K-x in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the K-r against the K-x.

Pentax K-r vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the K-r and K-x is 67 and 69 respectively.

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

Pentax K-r vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to picture the difference between sensor dimensions only by reading specifications. The image below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-r and K-x.

Plainly, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact resolution so you can expect similar quality of files but you need to consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The fresher K-r should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-r
Portrait photography with Pentax K-x
63
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
saves RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-r Street photography info
Pentax K-x Street photography info
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-r Sports photography info
Pentax K-x Sports photography info
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
low battery (470 per charge)
61
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
better than average battery (1,900 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-r
Travel photography with Pentax K-x
47
built-in flash
low battery (470 shots)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
54
better than average battery (1,900 per charge)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-r Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-x Landscape photography highlights
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
low battery (470 shots)
61
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (1,900 shots)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-r
Vlogging with Pentax K-x
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic jack
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Pentax K-r vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-r and Pentax K-x
 Pentax K-rPentax K-x
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-r Pentax K-x
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2011-03-11 2009-12-23
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime II Prime
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 4288 x 2848 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Highest boosted ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 96% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
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) 16.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 598 gr (1.32 lb) 580 gr (1.28 lb)
Dimensions 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 72
DXO Color Depth score 22.9 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 12.5
DXO Low light score 755 811
Other
Battery life 470 pictures 1900 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $1,100 $600