Canon XSi vs Pentax K-r

Cameras
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Canon XSi vs Pentax K-r

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APS-C 328.6mm²
12.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Canon XSi Review.
See real-world photos taken with the XSi.

APS-C 369.7mm²
12.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-r Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-r.

Succeeded by the Canon T1i
Compare XSi vs T1i
Compare Canon T1i vs Pentax K-r

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Differences

Canon XSi advantages over Pentax K-r

Bigger JPEG buffer
53 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-r advantages over Canon XSi

Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
K-r test data on DxO Mark XSi test data on DxO Mark

12.4 vs 10.8 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More dots on screen
921k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Faster JPEG shooting
5.6 fps vs 3.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 1600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Neither provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
Neither provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

Read our Canon XSi Full Review

Read our Pentax K-r Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D60

Canon XSi

Nikon D60

$649
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Less shutter lag

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Nikon D60

Pentax K-r

Nikon D60

$850
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Pentax K-r vs Nikon D60

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon XSi

Pentax K2000

$649
APS-C

More pixels
More AF points

$556
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Pentax K2000

Pentax K-r

Pentax K2000

$850
APS-C

External Mic Jack
More cross-type AF points

$556
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Pentax K-r vs Pentax K2000

Compared to Canon T1i

Canon XSi

Canon T1i

$649
APS-C

Longer stills battery life

$900
APS-C

Fast startup
HDMI out

Compare Canon XSi vs Canon T1i

Pentax K-r

Canon T1i

$850
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$900
APS-C

HDMI out
Shoots 1080p video

Compare Pentax K-r vs Canon T1i

Compared to Pentax K-x

Canon XSi

Pentax K-x

$649
APS-C

Fast startup
Bigger JPEG buffer

$702
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Canon XSi vs Pentax K-x

Pentax K-r

Pentax K-x

$850
APS-C

Fast startup
External Mic Jack

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

Compare Pentax K-r vs Pentax K-x

Compared to Nikon D3100

Canon XSi

Nikon D3100

$649
APS-C

Less shutter lag
Faster JPEG shooting

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon XSi vs Nikon D3100

Pentax K-r

Nikon D3100

$850
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K-r vs Nikon D3100

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