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Pentax K-r vs Sony A68

Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K-r front
 
Sony SLT-A68 front
Portability
64
Imaging
67
Features
70
Overall
68

Pentax K-r vs Sony A68 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 A68
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 610g - 143 x 104 x 81mm
  • Announced November 2015
  • Older Model is Sony A65
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Pentax K-r vs Sony A68 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Pentax K-r and Sony A68, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the K-r (12MP) and A68 (24MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-r was launched 5 years earlier than the A68 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief view of how the K-r matches up vs the A68 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Sony A68

 K-r A68 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k461kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A68 over the Pentax K-r

 A68 K-r 
AnnouncedNovember 2015March 2011Fresher by 56 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax K-r and Sony A68

 K-r A68 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Pentax K-r vs Sony A68 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-r has 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) whilst the Sony A68 has dimensions of 143mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") and a weight of 610 grams (1.34 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-r and Sony A68 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the K-r against the A68.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A68 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the K-r and A68 is 67 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A68 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony A68 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing only by seeing specifications. The visual below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the K-r and A68.

To sum up, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Sony A68 to show extra detail utilizing its extra 12MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The older K-r will be behind in sensor technology.

Pentax K-r vs Sony A68 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-r vs Sony A68 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-r vs Sony A68 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-r as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A68 as a Portrait photography camera
63
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect focus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
80
has manual focus
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-r Street photography details
Sony A68 Street photography details
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
77
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
very good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-r as a Sports photography camera
Sony A68 as a Sports photography camera
55
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow fps (6.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (470 shots)
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
comes with phase detect AF
not so great battery life (510 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-r Travel photography factors
Sony A68 Travel photography factors
47
has built in flash
bad battery (470 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
55
decent megapixels (24MP)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (510 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-r Landscape photography information
Sony A68 Landscape photography information
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
bad battery (470 CIPA)
68
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.7")
not so great battery life (510 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-r Vlogging factors
Sony A68 Vlogging factors
26
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic socket
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic port
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Pentax K-r vs Sony A68 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-r and Sony A68
 Pentax K-rSony SLT-A68
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-r Sony SLT-A68
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-03-11 2015-11-06
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime II Bionz X
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 12MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 2848 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 12800 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 79
Cross focus points 9 15
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 921k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync Flash off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction, Rear sync, Wireless, High Speed sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p, 24p), 1440 x 1080, 640 x 480
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 598g (1.32 pounds) 610g (1.34 pounds)
Physical dimensions 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") 143 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 79
DXO Color Depth score 22.9 24.1
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 13.5
DXO Low light score 755 701
Other
Battery life 470 photographs 510 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (Yes (2 or 12 sec))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at release $1,100 $581