Pentax K-r vs Sony A290
Portability
67 Imaging
53 Features
52 Overall
52
67 Imaging
53 Features
52 Overall
52
Portability
66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
51
66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
51
Pentax K-r vs Sony A290 Key Specs
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
- Launched March 2011
Sony A290
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
- Revealed June 2010
- Replaced the Sony A230
Photography Glossary Pentax K-r vs Sony A290 Overview
On this page, we are comparing the Pentax K-r and Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-r (12MP) and the A290 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor size (APS-C).
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe K-r was introduced 10 months after the A290 and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the K-r grades against the A290 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-r & Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The whole galleries are available at Pentax K-r Gallery & Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Sony A290
| K-r | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | March 2011 |  | June 2010 | Newer by 10 months |
| Display dimensions | 3" |  | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
| Display resolution | 921k |  | 230k | Clearer display (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Pentax K-r
| A290 | K-r |
|---|
Common features in the Pentax K-r and Sony A290
| K-r | A290 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | Dial accurate focus | ||
| Display type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed display |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
| Touch friendly display |  | Neither contains Touch friendly display |
Pentax K-r vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-r has got exterior measurements of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
See the Pentax K-r and Sony A290 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the K-r against the A290.
Using size and weight, the portability score of the K-r and A290 is 67 and 66 respectively.
Pentax K-r vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it's hard to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by going through a spec sheet. The pic underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the K-r and A290.
Clearly, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Sony A290 to provide more detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos more aggressively. The more modern K-r is going to have an edge in sensor technology.
Pentax K-r vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder
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Portrait Comparison
Portrait photography with Pentax K-r
Portrait photography with Sony A290
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Pentax K-r Street photography information
Sony A290 Street photography information
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Pentax K-r Sports photography features
Sony A290 Sports photography features
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (470 shots)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
not so great battery power (290 shots)
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Pentax K-r as a Travel photography camera
Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
has built in flash
not so great battery pack (470 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (290 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape photography with Pentax K-r
Landscape photography with Sony A290
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
not so great battery pack (470 per charge)
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
no liveview feature
not so great battery power (290 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging with Pentax K-r
Vlogging with Sony A290
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone support
no video recording
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Pentax K-r vs Sony A290 Specifications
| Pentax K-r | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
| Model type | Pentax K-r | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
| Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Launched | 2011-03-11 | 2010-06-09 |
| Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor 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 surface area | 372.9mm² | 369.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4288 x 2848 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Highest native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
| Highest boosted ISO | 25600 | - |
| Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Min boosted ISO | 100 | - |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| 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 | ||
| Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
| Cross type focus points | 9 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Total lenses | 151 | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
| Screen resolution | 921 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Screen technology | TFT LCD monitor | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 96% | 95% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.57x | 0.55x |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/6000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting speed | 6.0 frames per sec | 3.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| 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, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Highest flash sync | 1/180 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) | - |
| Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | - |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| 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 proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 598 grams (1.32 lb) | 549 grams (1.21 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 72 | 66 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 22.9 | 22.6 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.4 | 11.5 |
| DXO Low light rating | 755 | 615 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 470 images | 290 images |
| Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | D-LI109,4 x AA | NP-FH50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Launch pricing | $1,100 | $600 |