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Pentax K-r vs Sony A35

Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K-r front
 
Sony SLT-A35 front
Portability
69
Imaging
57
Features
70
Overall
62

Pentax K-r vs Sony A35 Key Specs

Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched March 2011
Sony A35
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 415g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Introduced September 2011
  • Replaced the Sony A33
  • Later Model is Sony A37
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Pentax K-r vs Sony A35 Overview

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Pentax K-r vs Sony A35, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the K-r (12MP) and A35 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The K-r was unveiled 6 months before the A35 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the K-r grades against the A35 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Sony A35

 K-r A35 

Reasons to pick Sony A35 over the Pentax K-r

 A35 K-r 

Common features in the Pentax K-r and Sony A35

 K-r A35 
IntroducedMarch 2011September 2011Same generation
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution921k921kSame display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Pentax K-r vs Sony A35 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Pentax K-r offers physical 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 A35 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 415 grams (0.91 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-r vs Sony A35 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the K-r against the A35.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A35 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the K-r and A35 is 67 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A35 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony A35 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing just by going through a spec sheet. The visual underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the K-r and A35.

Clearly, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Sony A35 to produce extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a little more aggressively.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A35 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony A35 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-r vs Sony A35 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-r as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A35 as a Portrait photography camera
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
74
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-r
Street photography with Sony A35
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
71
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (415g)
above average high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-r Sports photography features
Sony A35 Sports photography features
55
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery power (470 CIPA)
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
not so great battery pack (440 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-r
Travel photography with Sony A35
47
has built in flash
terrible battery power (470 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
59
lighter than average in class (415 grams)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (440 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-r Landscape photography highlights
Sony A35 Landscape photography highlights
65
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery power (470 per charge)
69
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
not so great battery pack (440 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-r Vlogging features
Sony A35 Vlogging features
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone support
36
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone socket
lighter than average in class (415 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Pentax K-r vs Sony A35 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-r and Sony A35
 Pentax K-rSony SLT-A35
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-r Sony SLT-A35
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2011-03-11 2011-09-20
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 2848 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 12800 25600
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 15
Cross type focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash modes 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 598 gr (1.32 lbs) 415 gr (0.91 lbs)
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 rating 72 74
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 23.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 12.7
DXO Low light rating 755 763
Other
Battery life 470 photographs 440 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109,4 x AA NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $1,100 $598