Pentax K-r vs Sony A33
67 Imaging
52 Features
52 Overall
52


67 Imaging
54 Features
80 Overall
64
Pentax K-r vs Sony A33 Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A33 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-r & Sony SLT-A33. The whole galleries are provided at Pentax K-r Gallery & Sony A33 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Sony A33
K-r | A33 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | March 2011 | ![]() | August 2010 | More recent by 7 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A33 over the Pentax K-r
A33 | K-r | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | 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 dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen size |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | Same 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony A33 Specifications
Pentax K-r | Sony 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 |