In a digital SLR market where the likes of Canon and Nikon easily dominate the scene, Pentax has eked out a nice niche delivering impressively specified digital SLRs with very aggressive pricing. Last year’s Pentax K-x (which I included on my list of Top 10 Digital SLRs earlier this year) found success following this formula, adding a unique rainbow of brightly colored body options to further differentiate itself. The camera maker’s latest offering, the new Pentax K-r, continues on the same path, ratcheting up some key specs while maintaining a competitive price point. Currently it’s only available in black, white, and red body color options, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the company add more colors later as it did with the K-x.
The K-r keeps the same 12.4-megapixel sensor as its predecessor, but bumps up the LCD significantly to a 921,000-dot, 3-inch model (which puts it closer to potential competitors like the Canon EOS Rebel T2i and Sony Alpha DSLR-A550). It also bumps continuous shooting speed up to 6 fps (besting the T2i’s top speed of 3.7 fps). Like the K-x, the K-r uses an 11-point autofocus system (vs. the T2i’s 9-point system) but it has a broader sensitivity range of ISO 200 to 12,800 (100 to 25,600 expanded) than the K-x, T2i and the A550, though the recently announced (but nowhere to be seen) successor to the A550, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A560, should offer a similar range if it ever comes to market. Like the K-x, the new K-r’s movie mode is limited to 1280×720, compared to the 1920×1080 HD capabilities of the T2i and the A560.
Here’s a quick specs comparison with similarly priced competitors. Note that the Sony A550 is on sale for $850 with an 18-55mm lens as I write this, but as mentioned above, the A560 was announced last month (with pricing listed at $750 with an 18-55mm lens), though it seems to have disappeared from the SonyStyle site.
| Pentax K-r | Canon EOS Rebel T2i | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $850 (with 18-55mm lens), shipping in October | $900 (with 18-55mm lens) | $850 (with 18-55mm lens) | $750 (with 18-55mm lens), shipping in October |
| Sensor | 12.4 megapixels, 23.6×15.8mm CMOS | 18-megapixels, 22.3-14.9mm CMOS | 14.2-megapixels, 23.5×15.6mm Exmor CMOS | 14.2-megapixel, 23.5×15.6mm Exmor CMOS |
| Continuous Shooting Speed | 6 fps | 3.7 fps | 7 fps | 7 fps |
| LCD | 3-inch, 921,000 pixels (fixed) | 3-inch, 1,040,000 pixels (fixed) | 3-inch, 921,600 pixels (tiltable) | 3-inch, 921,600 pixels (tiltable) |
| Autofocus | 11-point (9 cross-type) | 9-point | 9-point | 15-point (3 cross-type) |
| Sensitivity | ISO 200-12800 (100-25,600 expanded) | ISO 100-6400 (12,800 expanded) | ISO 200-12800 | ISO 100-12800 (25,600 expanded) |
| Live View | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Storage Media | SD, SDHC | SD, SDHC | Memory Stick PRO Duo, SD, and SDHC | Memory Stick PRO Duo, SD, and SDHC |
| Movie Mode | 1280×720 (25 fps)/640×480 (25 fps) | 1920×1080 (30/25/24 fps),1280×720 (60/50 fps), 640×480 (60/50 fps) | none | 1920×1080/1280×720/640×424 |
| Dimensions | 4.9×3.8×2.7 inches | 5.1×3.8×3.0 inches | 5.4×4.1×3.3 inches | 5.4×4.1×3.3 inches |
| Weight | 19.2 oz (body) | 21.1 oz (body) | 21.1 oz (with batteries) |
For some early hands-on looks at the K-r, check out:
- DPReview’s brief preview
- Imaging Resource’s hands-on preview
- Pentax’s own preview video.
