Pentax K-r

Pentax K-r
Entry-level DSLR Entry-level DSLR
September, 2010

Summary Pentax K-r

Prices Price
Body only Unknown With 18-55mm lens $747
all K-r prices
Score Snapsort rank
Within its price range #n/a of 12 Among similar cameras #n/a of 15
details details
Specifications Key specs
Sensor size Help APS-C 23.6x15.8mm Screen resolution Help 920k dots
Megapixels Help 12.2 MP Movie format Help 720p @ 25fps
Screen size Help 3.0" Light sensitivity Help 12,800 ISO
see all specifications
Lenses Lenses
Browse all Pentax K-r lenses at LensHero
Pentax K-rPentax K-r

reviewsWhat are people saying about the K-r

"The K-r produces, in almost any shooting situation, output that is virtually identical to the K-x's."
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's image-quality
"The Pentax K-r offers excellent control over high ISO noise reduction."
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's iso-noise
"The K-r is in many ways a very competent upper entry-level camera."
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's overall-performance

Videos

Pentax K-r Review

Pentax K-r First look
Pentax K-r Review
  • Review
  • Preview
  • Image quality
 Pentax K-r First look
  • Tutorial

Browse all Pentax K-r videos

Pros

The Pentax K-r vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

Sensor size Slightly larger than average sensor Help
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Cross type focus points Many cross-type focus points Help
9
Thickness Thin Help
2.7"
Fastest shutter speed Fast shutter speed Help
1/6000 of a second
Image stabilization Image stabilization Help
Sensor shift
Startup delay Short startup delay Help
300 ms startup delay
Shutter lag Short shutter lag Help
105 ms shutter lag
Size Really small Help
Prosumer size 125x97x68 mm

Cons

The Pentax K-r vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

Low light performance Noisy at high ISO Help
755 ISO
Movie format HD movies Help
720p @ 25fps
True resolution Lower true resolution Help
12.2 MP
Supports 24p No 24p movies Help
Missing that film look
Weather sealed No weather sealing Help
Need to shelter it from weather
Screen flips out Fixed screen Help
Less flexible
Panorama Lacks in-camera panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Doesn't take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Autofocus Manual focus only Help
None
Lens availability Slightly fewer lenses available Help
90 lenses
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic
Battery life Shorter battery life Help
470 shots
Announced Old Help
September, 2010
Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
96%
Popularity Not so popular Help
Among snapsort users

dxomark

DXOMark

Appearance

front photo of the Pentax K-rback photo of the Pentax K-rangle photo of the Pentax K-r

Discussion What do you think about the Pentax K-r?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of this camera here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

Showing 16 comments

Pbuliet (11:22 PM, November 22, 2012)
Tried that it does not work the AF Module is flawed and the K-5 has major problems too in this light. This is a great camera with awful AF issues never fixed and there are no work arounds...bar using live view. AWB does nothing either that's a paper tiger
 
Teepee_uk (10:29 AM, May 08, 2012)
 True, but this can be worked around quite easily with a combination of IR blocking filter, firmware updates and staying away from AWB.
 
Pbuliet (1:45 AM, December 22, 2011)
Pentax K-r = Front focus in low kelvin light
Really bad front focus too and Pentax keep selling it and don't care!
 
Shajith_703 (10:49 AM, December 08, 2011)
Used 3 or 4 occasion
only, Pentax K-r DSLR (perfect for all type of climate, protects from dust and
humidity). Also included is the original Pentax 18-55mm
f/3.5-5.6 and 55-300mm f/4-5.8 Zoom Lenses, battery charger and cord, USB cable, CD, UV Filter, instruction
manual, tripod, memory card, carry case. Bought it from U.S.A. Final Price
2,999/-
 
Mateusz (7:40 AM, December 08, 2011)
i have a Pentax k-r and i need to do virtual tours of properties what lens do you recommend?
 
Shajith_703 (9:25 AM, November 04, 2011)
Kr fell 2ft down from hand nothing happened to it, that's called build quality......
 
Shajith_703 (9:23 AM, November 04, 2011)
Pentax is king dear
 
allenation (2:06 PM, October 27, 2011)
i've read a lot comparing K-R to other popular brands of DSLR. Pentax is way better than those you guys mentioned. and even beat D90! im gonna have it soon. pextax k-r is a dream come true for me.
 
Dickensoncc (2:36 AM, July 13, 2011)
I totally agree.  I compared the Nikon D3100 and the Pentax K-R and if you take "popularity" out of the equation (which, in my opinion is a non-issue), the K-R has the higher score.  I'm very happy with my Pentax K-R!
 
Marcus_labeo (1:14 PM, July 06, 2011)
In my opinion the best entry-level DSLR. I wonder a bit about Nikon D3100 being rated better, since it cannot compare to K-r in many aspects (except from popularity, which is a questionable value). Well-buit and well-equipped DSLR for good price.
 
d (1:29 PM, May 11, 2011)

What about other options? Is not more cameras suitable for my needs?
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (1:47 PM, May 09, 2011)
If video is important than I would recommend you look at either the Canon 550D or Nikon D5100. Snapsort recommends
the Nikon D5100 because it takes better photos, continuous video focus, a flip out screen, and more focus points.
Good luck.
 
d (6:02 PM, May 08, 2011)

What a better camera to film family events with the possibility to easily adjust the settings myself? the nikon d5100 the canon 550d or the pentax k r (If there are better options then please tell)
 
Johnmcmillin (5:43 AM, April 27, 2011)
I really, really wanted to like this camera,. It has oodles of useful features, plus enormous customizability, It's cheap, feels well built and handles like a charm, Two months ago, I got a used K-r and put it to use cranking out virtual tours. All was well until I started looking closely at the photos. There was less dynamic range than I was used to getting from the Nikon D40x, and unlike my Sony a700 powerful DRO, the Pentax's dynamic range adjustment feature didn't show much benefit. Then I started to see inconsistent color balance, using JPG on various WB presets. Random frames of pano elements would show sudden shifts towards red or blue, even outdoors where lighting and subject matter was constant. Than the rear control dial went haywire. failing soon after. Thankfully, B&H gave me an extended return & refund.

The Pentax K-r might have been a keeper if I'd been using it for travel, shooting RAW, in reasonable light... and if it had worked at all. I wouldn't want to steer anyone clear of trying it. Each of the little three SLR makers has something unique to offer, and on paper, Pentax may have the most to offer. This camera is worth a try, but make sure to test, return and replace as necessary....
 
Avatar for kmuzu kmuzu (7:08 PM, April 25, 2011)
I have the older version Pentax K-x and love my camera. I think it comes down to if you're going to shoot video with your DSLR. Just like the K-x there is no microphone jack in and the video quality is not as good as the Sony. However the image stabilization, HDR photo and ISO range is better.
 
Matthewj White1234 (0:44 AM, April 09, 2011)
i can't decide between the Pentax K-R and the Sony SLT A33. I have read your comparison but still cannot decide! This would be my first DSLR but i know a fair bit about cameras. Please help!