Pentax K-r vs Sony A37
67 Imaging
52 Features
52 Overall
52


67 Imaging
57 Features
65 Overall
60
Pentax K-r vs Sony A37 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced March 2011
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.6" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 506g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
- Released May 2012
- Earlier Model is Sony A35

Pentax K-r vs Sony A37 Overview
Below is a comprehensive analysis of the Pentax K-r vs Sony A37, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the K-r (12MP) and A37 (16MP) but they feature the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

The K-r was announced 14 months earlier than the A37 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the K-r grades against the A37 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A37 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-r & Sony SLT-A37. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax K-r Gallery & Sony A37 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Sony A37
K-r | A37 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.6" | Larger display (+0.4") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Pentax K-r
A37 | K-r | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | May 2012 | ![]() | March 2011 | More recent by 14 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Pentax K-r and Sony A37
K-r | A37 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch display |
Pentax K-r vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to lug around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax K-r comes with exterior dimensions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Sony A37 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).
Take a look at the Pentax K-r vs Sony A37 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Here is the front view size comparison of the K-r and the A37.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the K-r and A37 is 67 and 67 respectively.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is difficult to picture the gap in sensor measurements only by going through specifications. The photograph underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-r and A37.
To sum up, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You can expect to see the Sony A37 to produce extra detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics much more aggressively. The older K-r will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony A37 Specifications
Pentax K-r | Sony SLT-A37 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K-r | Sony SLT-A37 |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2011-03-11 | 2012-05-16 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Prime II | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 372.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4288 x 2848 | 4912 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Max boosted ISO | 25600 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Lowest boosted ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 15 |
Cross focus points | 9 | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Total lenses | 151 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 2.6 inch |
Resolution of display | 921 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,440 thousand dot |
Viewfinder coverage | 96% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.57x | 0.73x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/6000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 6.0 frames per second | 6.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 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 | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/180 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
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) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 598 grams (1.32 lbs) | 506 grams (1.12 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 All around score | 72 | 75 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.9 | 23.3 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.4 | 12.9 |
DXO Low light score | 755 | 799 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 470 photographs | 500 photographs |
Style of battery | 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, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail pricing | $1,100 | $522 |