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Pentax K-r vs Sony A390

Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K-r front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Pentax K-r vs Sony A390 Key Specs

Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Boost 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
Sony A390
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Previous Model is Sony A380
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Pentax K-r vs Sony A390 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Pentax K-r versus Sony A390, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-r (12MP) and the A390 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The K-r was launched 8 months after the A390 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the K-r grades against the A390 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Sony A390

 K-r A390 
RevealedMarch 2011July 2010Newer by 8 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Pentax K-r

 A390 K-r 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax K-r and Sony A390

 K-r A390 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Pentax K-r vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Pentax K-r has outer dimensions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") with a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Sony A390 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-r versus Sony A390 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the K-r and the A390.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A390 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the K-r and A390 is 67 and 66 respectively.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to envision the difference in sensor dimensions merely by looking through technical specs. The image here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the K-r and A390.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Sony A390 to provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern K-r will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-r vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-r as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A390 as a Portrait photography camera
63
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
72
has manual focus
good MP (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-r
Street photography with Sony A390
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
76
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-r
Sports photography with Sony A390
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (470 per charge)
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
not so great battery pack (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-r as a Travel photography camera
Sony A390 as a Travel photography camera
47
flash built-in
not so great battery life (470 shots)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
53
good MP (14MP)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-r
Landscape photography with Sony A390
65
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
not so great battery life (470 CIPA)
61
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-r Vlogging advice
Sony A390 Vlogging advice
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
does not have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
9
no video
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Pentax K-r vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-r and Sony A390
 Pentax K-rSony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-r Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2011-03-11 2010-07-28
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 Possible resolution 4288 x 2848 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
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 support Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 96% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.49x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max 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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 598g (1.32 pounds) 549g (1.21 pounds)
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 Overall rating 72 66
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 11.5
DXO Low light rating 755 607
Other
Battery life 470 photos 230 photos
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
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $1,100 $500