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Pentax K-r vs Sony A33

Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K-r front
 
Sony SLT-A33 front
Portability
67
Imaging
54
Features
80
Overall
64

Pentax K-r vs Sony A33 Key Specs

Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Released March 2011
Sony A33
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Revealed August 2010
  • Successor is Sony A35
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-r vs Sony A33 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Pentax K-r vs Sony A33, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-r (12MP) and the A33 (14MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras posses the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-r was introduced 7 months later than the A33 so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a short view of how the K-r matches up versus the A33 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Sony A33

 K-r A33 
RevealedMarch 2011August 2010More recent by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sony A33 over the Pentax K-r

 A33 K-r 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-r and Sony A33

 K-r A33 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Screen resolution921k921kSame screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-r vs Sony A33 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Pentax K-r has got exterior 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 A33 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-r vs Sony A33 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the K-r compared to the A33.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A33 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the K-r and A33 is 67 and 67 respectively.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A33 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony A33 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to picture the gap in sensor measurements merely by going through a spec sheet. The visual here may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-r and A33.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can count on the Sony A33 to produce greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The fresher K-r should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A33 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony A33 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-r vs Sony A33 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-r Portrait photography highlights
Sony A33 Portrait photography highlights
63
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
72
focusing manually
decent megapixels (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-r as a Street photography camera
Sony A33 as a Street photography camera
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
76
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-r as a Sports photography camera
Sony A33 as a Sports photography camera
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (6.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
low battery pack (470 per charge)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
bad battery life (340 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-r Travel photography highlights
Sony A33 Travel photography highlights
47
has built in flash
low battery pack (470 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
61
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse function
bad battery life (340 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-r Landscape photography features
Sony A33 Landscape photography features
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
low battery pack (470 per charge)
67
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
bad battery life (340 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-r Vlogging advice
Sony A33 Vlogging advice
26
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
77
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic socket
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Pentax K-r vs Sony A33 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-r and Sony A33
 Pentax K-rSony SLT-A33
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-r Sony SLT-A33
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-03-11 2010-08-24
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
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 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 15
Cross focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest 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
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (@ 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, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 598 gr (1.32 pounds) 500 gr (1.10 pounds)
Physical dimensions 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 70
DXO Color Depth score 22.9 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 12.6
DXO Low light score 755 591
Other
Battery life 470 shots 340 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $1,100 $230