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Pentax K-r vs Sony S950

Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K-r front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Pentax K-r vs Sony S950 Key Specs

Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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 S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Pentax K-r vs Sony S950 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Pentax K-r versus Sony S950, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-r (12MP) and the S950 (10MP) is fairly well matched but the K-r (APS-C) and S950 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The K-r was brought out 2 years after the S950 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony S950 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the K-r matches up versus the S950 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Sony S950

 K-r S950 
IntroducedMarch 2011February 2009Newer by 26 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Pentax K-r

 S950 K-r 

Common features in the Pentax K-r and Sony S950

 K-r S950 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Pentax K-r vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-r offers exterior 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 S950 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-r versus Sony S950 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the K-r vs the S950.

Pentax K-r vs Sony S950 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the K-r and S950 is 67 and 94 respectively.

Pentax K-r vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to see the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reading through technical specs. The pic underneath may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-r and S950.

As you have seen, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The K-r because of its larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax K-r will resolve more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images far more aggressively. The fresher K-r will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-r vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-r vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-r
Portrait photography with Sony S950
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
26
you can focus manually
no manual control
external flash not possible
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-r Street photography details
Sony S950 Street photography details
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-r Sports photography advice
Sony S950 Sports photography advice
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
slow frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
bad battery life (470 shots)
24
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-r Travel photography features
Sony S950 Travel photography features
47
built-in flash
bad battery life (470 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
50
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low MP (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-r as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S950 as a Landscape photography camera
65
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
bad battery life (470 shots)
31
you can focus manually
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-r
Vlogging with Sony S950
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
does not have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic jack
9
no video shooting
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Pentax K-r vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-r and Sony S950
 Pentax K-rSony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-r Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-03-11 2009-02-17
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Prime II -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 2848 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range - 10cm
Available lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 96% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 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 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 755 not tested
Other
Battery life 470 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $1,100 $130