• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Pentax K-r advantages over Sony A57

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    9 vs 3
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A57 advantages over Pentax K-r

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.69x vs 0.57x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • More AF points
    15 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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

  • We haven’t finished our review of the Sony A57, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
  • See our Sony A57 First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3000

Pentax K-r
Nikon D3000
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compare Pentax K-r vs Nikon D3000

Sony A57
Nikon D3000
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A57 vs Nikon D3000

Compared to 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

Sony A57
Pentax K-x
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $702
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A57 vs Pentax K-x

Compared to 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

Sony A57
Nikon D3100
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony A57 vs Nikon D3100

Compared to Nikon D5100

Pentax K-r
Nikon D5100
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K-r vs Nikon D5100

Sony A57
Nikon D5100
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A57 vs Nikon D5100

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Pentax K-r
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range

Compare Pentax K-r vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A57
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony A57 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

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