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Pentax K-r vs Sony A550

Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K-r front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Pentax K-r vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched March 2011
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Revealed December 2009
  • Replaced the Sony A100
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-r vs Sony A550 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Pentax K-r and Sony A550, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-r (12MP) and the A550 (14MP) is fairly similar and they possess the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-r was released 16 months later than the A550 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the K-r grades versus the A550 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Sony A550

 K-r A550 
RevealedMarch 2011December 2009Fresher by 16 months

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Pentax K-r

 A550 K-r 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k921kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-r and Sony A550

 K-r A550 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Pentax K-r vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. 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) and the Sony A550 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-r and Sony A550 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is the front view size comparison of the K-r vs the A550.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A550 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the K-r and A550 is 67 and 63 respectively.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing purely by going over specifications. The photograph underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the K-r and A550.

Plainly, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can anticipate the Sony A550 to deliver more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos much more aggressively. The more recent K-r should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-r vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-r Portrait photography details
Sony A550 Portrait photography details
63
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
72
you can focus manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-r Street photography highlights
Sony A550 Street photography highlights
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
74
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-r Sports photography advice
Sony A550 Sports photography advice
55
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
low battery (470 CIPA)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
bad battery pack (480 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-r
Travel photography with Sony A550
47
built-in flash
low battery (470 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
52
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (480 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-r
Landscape photography with Sony A550
65
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
low battery (470 shots)
66
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
bad battery pack (480 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-r Vlogging info
Sony A550 Vlogging info
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
9
can't record video
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Pentax K-r vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-r and Sony A550
 Pentax K-rSony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-r Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2011-03-11 2009-12-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 2848 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 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, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/160 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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 598g (1.32 lb) 632g (1.39 lb)
Dimensions 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 66
DXO Color Depth score 22.9 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 11.8
DXO Low light score 755 807
Other
Battery life 470 pictures 480 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $1,100 $749