Pentax K-r vs Sony A58

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Pentax K-r vs Sony A58

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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.

APS-C 366.6mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A58 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A58 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A58.
Compare Sony A58 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A58 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A68
Compare A58 vs A68
Compare Pentax K-r vs Sony A68

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Differences

Pentax K-r advantages over Sony A58

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Bigger pixels
~ 5.53 vs 4.31 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 1.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 3
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More dots on screen
921k vs 461k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Faster JPEG shooting
5.6 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
30 vs 8 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 16000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A58 advantages over Pentax K-r

Less expensive
$600 vs $850 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

700 vs 470 shots
Capture more photos
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 pixels
20.1 vs 12.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
More AF points
15 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus

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
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

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
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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Buy the Pentax K-r

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Buy the Sony A58

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Review Excerpt

Read our Pentax K-r Full Review

Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).
Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.
Read our Sony A58 Review

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 A58

Nikon D3000

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$450
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A58 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 A58

Pentax K-x

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$702
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A58 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 A58

Nikon D3100

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A58 vs Nikon D3100

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 A58

Pentax K-5 IIs

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Canon T5i

Pentax K-r

Canon T5i

$850
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-r vs Canon T5i

Sony A58

Canon T5i

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Canon T5i

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