Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D vs Pentax Kr — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 18 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D
40
SCORE
|
Pentax · DSLR · 12.4 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Pentax Kr
49
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D and the Pentax K-r are APS-C DSLRs from 2010, and the useful choice is resolution and video against stabilisation and speed. Both use APS-C CMOS sensors and a pentamirror viewfinder, shared specifications that favour neither body. The Canon is the lighter body at 530 g against 598 g, and the Pentax is the deeper body at 68 mm against 62 mm. The Canon uses the EF-S mount and the Pentax the KAF mount, so lenses do not transfer between them. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2010 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 26, 2010 | October 9, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 129 x 98 x 62 mm | 125 x 97 x 68 mm |
| Camera weight | 530 g | 598 g |
| Optics | 41/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D is the stronger choice for heavy cropping, with 18 MP against the Pentax K-r's 12.4 MP. For distant wildlife or recomposing a landscape in post, the extra pixels leave more room to cut into the frame and still print large. The Pentax answers with in-body stabilisation, which the Canon lacks, so every lens you attach gains steadier handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds. It also bursts at 6 fps against 3.7 fps, its 11 autofocus points outnumber the Canon's 9, and its 1/6000 second shutter allows shorter exposures than 1/4000. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
18 MP050 | 12.4 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5184 x 3456 | 4288 x 2848 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
14.9 x 22.3 | 15.8 x 23.6 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3.7 fps045 | 6 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-S | Pentax KAF |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 4 | Prime II |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
128003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 600080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 43/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D is the stronger pick for video, recording Full HD in MOV while the Pentax K-r stops at Standard HD in Motion JPEG. Its video frame rates also reach 30 fps against 25, and Full HD footage leaves more room to crop or downscale in the edit. The Pentax keeps one video advantage in built-in interval timelapse recording, which the Canon does not offer. Flowers opening or clouds crossing the sky need no external intervalometer. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD |  Standard HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1280 x 720 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 25 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
No |  Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV | Motion JPEG |
| Features | 44/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Canon's rear screen shows playback and live view in finer detail, with 1040000 dots against 921000 on the Pentax. Both are fixed 3-inch displays without touch, so neither tilts for overhead shots. The core shooting features are a similarity: both cameras offer live view, a built-in flash and an external flash shoe. Neither includes GPS, weather sealing, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so geotagging and wireless transfer need accessories. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D also supports SDXC cards, beyond the SD and SDHC that both accept, so it takes larger-capacity cards for long trips. The Pentax battery is rated at 470 shots against 440 for the Canon, using different packs, the D-LI109 and the LP-E8. Both have a single card slot and neither charges over USB, so spare batteries matter. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E8 | D-LI109 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
440 shots1505000 | 470 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D for landscapes, distant wildlife or heavy cropping, because its 18 MP sensor gives that latitude. Pick it too when video matters, since Full HD recording is a real step up from Standard HD output.
Choose the Pentax K-r for handheld shooting in dim light with unstabilised lenses, because its in-body stabilisation steadies every lens you mount. Its 6 fps burst, 11 autofocus points and 1/6000 second shutter suit children's sports and fast action, and its built-in interval timelapse covers slow scenes over hours.