Clicky

Pentax K-r vs Sony A57

Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K-r front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Pentax K-r vs Sony A57 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 A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony A55
  • Successor is Sony A58
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-r vs Sony A57 Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Pentax K-r vs Sony A57, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the K-r (12MP) and A57 (16MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The K-r was launched 18 months before the A57 making the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief view of how the K-r grades against the A57 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Sony A57

 K-r A57 

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Pentax K-r

 A57 K-r 
RevealedSeptember 2012March 2011Newer by 18 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-r and Sony A57

 K-r A57 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Display resolution921k921kSame display resolution
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Pentax K-r vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax K-r comes with external dimensions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Sony A57 has sizing of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-r vs Sony A57 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the K-r versus the A57.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A57 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the K-r and A57 is 67 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by looking through technical specs. The image here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the K-r and A57.

As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should expect to see the Sony A57 to provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged K-r will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-r vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-r Portrait photography details
Sony A57 Portrait photography details
63
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
74
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Pentax K-r Street photography details
Sony A57 Street photography details
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
75
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-r Sports photography advice
Sony A57 Sports photography advice
55
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
low battery pack (470 CIPA)
78
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
has phase detect autofocus
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-r as a Travel photography camera
Sony A57 as a Travel photography camera
47
built-in flash
low battery pack (470 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
67
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
doesn't have Timelapse recording
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-r Landscape photography details
Sony A57 Landscape photography details
65
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
low battery pack (470 shots)
72
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-r Vlogging information
Sony A57 Vlogging information
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
77
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone support
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Pentax K-r vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-r and Sony A57
 Pentax K-rSony SLT-A57
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-r Sony SLT-A57
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-03-11 2012-09-13
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime II -
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 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 2848 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 12800 16000
Max boosted ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 15
Cross focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD monitor Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
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
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180s 1/160s
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 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 598g (1.32 lbs) 618g (1.36 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 75
DXO Color Depth score 22.9 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 13.0
DXO Low light score 755 785
Other
Battery life 470 pictures 550 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at launch $1,100 $1,000