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Pentax K-r vs Sony WX5

Portability
67
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K-r front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
29
Overall
32

Pentax K-r vs Sony WX5 Key Specs

Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Push 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 WX5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 146g - 92 x 52 x 22mm
  • Announced July 2010
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Pentax K-r vs Sony WX5 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Pentax K-r versus Sony WX5, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-r (12MP) and the WX5 (12MP) is very comparable but the K-r (APS-C) and WX5 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The K-r was introduced 9 months later than the WX5 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony WX5 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a concise overview of how the K-r matches up versus the WX5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Sony WX5

 K-r WX5 
AnnouncedMarch 2011July 2010Fresher by 9 months
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display dimensions3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution921k461kSharper display (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony WX5 over the Pentax K-r

 WX5 K-r 

Common features in the Pentax K-r and Sony WX5

 K-r WX5 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Pentax K-r vs Sony WX5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-r has 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 WX5 has dimensions of 92mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9") and a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-r versus Sony WX5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the K-r against the WX5.

Pentax K-r vs Sony WX5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the K-r and WX5 is 67 and 95 respectively.

Pentax K-r vs Sony WX5 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony WX5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing just by going through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the K-r and WX5.

Clearly, both cameras have the same resolution but not the same sensor sizing. The K-r offers the larger sensor which should make obtaining shallower depth of field easier. The newer K-r is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-r vs Sony WX5 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony WX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-r vs Sony WX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-r Portrait photography factors
Sony WX5 Portrait photography factors
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
20
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-r as a Street photography camera
Sony WX5 as a Street photography camera
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-r as a Sports photography camera
Sony WX5 as a Sports photography camera
54
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
bad battery pack (470 shots)
33
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-r Travel photography highlights
Sony WX5 Travel photography highlights
47
has built in flash
bad battery pack (470 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
58
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
no Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-r Landscape photography info
Sony WX5 Landscape photography info
65
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
bad battery pack (470 CIPA)
36
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (2.8 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-r
Vlogging with Sony WX5
26
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic jack
32
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone port
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Pentax K-r vs Sony WX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-r and Sony WX5
 Pentax K-rSony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-r Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-03-11 2010-07-08
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Prime II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 2848 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Highest boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 200 125
RAW images
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-120mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.4-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Amount of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.8"
Display resolution 921k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.10 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
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (50 fps), 1440 x 1080 (50, 25fps), 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 598 gr (1.32 pounds) 146 gr (0.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") 92 x 52 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC/ SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $1,100 $250