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Pentax K-r vs Sony A230

Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K-r front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Pentax K-r vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Released March 2011
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Announced May 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A200
  • Successor is Sony A290
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Pentax K-r vs Sony A230 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Pentax K-r vs Sony A230, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-r (12MP) and the A230 (10MP) is relatively close and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-r was brought out 23 months after the A230 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a simple summation of how the K-r grades against the A230 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Sony A230

 K-r A230 
AnnouncedMarch 2011May 2009More modern by 23 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Pentax K-r

 A230 K-r 

Common features in the Pentax K-r and Sony A230

 K-r A230 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Pentax K-r vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-r offers outer dimensions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-r vs Sony A230 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the K-r compared to the A230.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A230 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-r and A230 is 67 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizes merely by researching specifications. The picture underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-r and A230.

Plainly, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can count on the Pentax K-r to result in greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more recent K-r should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-r vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-r Portrait photography advice
Sony A230 Portrait photography advice
63
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
54
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low megapixels (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-r Street photography features
Sony A230 Street photography features
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-r Sports photography advice
Sony A230 Sports photography advice
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
low battery life (470 CIPA)
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (10MP)
low battery power (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-r Travel photography advice
Sony A230 Travel photography advice
47
built-in flash
low battery life (470 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
45
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery power (230 per charge)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-r Landscape photography factors
Sony A230 Landscape photography factors
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
low battery life (470 shots)
51
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
doesn't have liveview
low megapixels (10MP)
low battery power (230 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-r Vlogging information
Sony A230 Vlogging information
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic socket
9
can't record video
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Pentax K-r vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-r and Sony A230
 Pentax K-rSony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-r Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-03-11 2009-05-18
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 2848 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m
Flash settings 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
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format 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 grams (1.32 pounds) 490 grams (1.08 pounds)
Physical dimensions 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 63
DXO Color Depth score 22.9 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 11.4
DXO Low light score 755 531
Other
Battery life 470 pictures 230 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $1,100 $569