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Pentax K-r vs Sony A380

Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K-r front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53

Pentax K-r vs Sony A380 Key Specs

Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Released March 2011
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced August 2009
  • Previous Model is Sony A350
  • New Model is Sony A390
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Pentax K-r vs Sony A380 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Pentax K-r and Sony A380, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-r (12MP) and the A380 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they feature the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-r was brought out 19 months after the A380 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the K-r matches up against the A380 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Sony A380

 K-r A380 
AnnouncedMarch 2011August 2009Newer by 19 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Pentax K-r

 A380 K-r 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax K-r and Sony A380

 K-r A380 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Pentax K-r vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Pentax K-r has physical 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 A380 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-r and Sony A380 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the K-r versus the A380.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A380 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the K-r and A380 is 67 and 68 respectively.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reading through specifications. The picture underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the K-r and A380.

Plainly, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can count on the Sony A380 to give you extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The fresher K-r provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-r vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-r
Portrait photography with Sony A380
63
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
71
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-r
Street photography with Sony A380
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
76
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-r Sports photography info
Sony A380 Sports photography info
55
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
low fps (6.0 fps)
low resolution (12MP)
terrible battery (470 shots)
59
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-r
Travel photography with Sony A380
47
built-in flash
terrible battery (470 CIPA)
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
53
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
terrible battery (500 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-r
Landscape photography with Sony A380
65
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (470 shots)
61
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7")
terrible battery (500 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-r Vlogging info
Sony A380 Vlogging info
26
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
9
lack of video recording
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Pentax K-r vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-r and Sony A380
 Pentax K-rSony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-r Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-03-11 2009-08-24
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 2848 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 96% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.49x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 598g (1.32 lbs) 519g (1.14 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 67
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 11.8
DXO Low light rating 755 614
Other
Battery life 470 photographs 500 photographs
Style of battery 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 recording
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $1,100 $899