Pentax Kr vs Sony Alpha 560 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 12.4 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Pentax Kr
49
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony Alpha 560
46
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax Kr and the Sony Alpha 560 are both APS-C DSLRs from 2010, so the choice turns on lens system and body shape rather than age. The Kr uses the Pentax KAF mount and is the smaller body, 125 x 97 x 68 mm against 137 x 104 x 84 mm. Weights are near-identical at 598 g and 599 g. | ||
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. |
October 9, 2010 | August 24, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 125 x 97 x 68 mm | 137 x 104 x 84 mm |
| Camera weight | 598 g | 599 g |
| Optics | 54/100 | 50/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony Alpha 560 gives you more room to crop distant subjects, with 14.2 megapixels against 12.4 on the Kr. It also offers 15 autofocus points rather than 11, which spreads focus coverage wider across the frame, and a base sensitivity of 100 ISO versus 200 on the Pentax, useful for wide-aperture daylight work. The Kr pulls ahead for action shooting, with a 6 fps burst against the Sony's 5 fps. Its 1/6000 second top shutter also allows a shorter exposure than the Sony's 1/4000 in bright light. Both use CMOS APS-C sensors, offer in-body stabilisation for steadier handheld work with any mounted lens, and share a 12800 ISO standard ceiling. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.4 MP050 | 14.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4288 x 2848 | 4592 x 3056 |
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. |
15.8 x 23.6 | 15.6 x 23.4 |
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. |
6 fps045 | 5 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. |
Pentax KAF | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Prime II | Bionz |
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. |
20030200 | 10030200 |
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. |
128003003280000 | 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. |
256003003280000 | 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. |
600080032000 | 400080032000 |
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. |
110300 | 150300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | 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 | 49/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Sony Alpha 560 is the stronger choice for video work. Its maximum recording resolution is Full HD, with clips in AVCHD or MP4, and its 60 fps ceiling allows slow-motion editing. The Kr records Standard HD in Motion JPEG with a 25 fps ceiling. The Kr counters with a built-in timelapse function the Sony lacks, so shooting sunsets or clouds at intervals needs no external remote. | ||
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. |
 Standard HD |  Full 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. |
1280 x 720 | 1920 x 1080 |
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. |
25 fps | 60 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. |
 Yes | No |
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. |
Motion JPEG | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesA flip-out screen gives the Sony Alpha 560 its most practical handling advantage, letting you frame low-angle shots or overhead crowds without contorting yourself. Both screens measure 3 inches, and the Sony's 921,600 dots edge the Kr's 921,000. Both cameras offer live view, a built-in flash and external flash support. Neither body includes GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or weather sealing, so location tagging and wireless transfer need add-ons. | ||
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 | TFT LCD | 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. |
9210001150001500000 | 9216001150001500000 |
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. |
No |  Yes |
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 | 27/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBattery endurance favours the Sony Alpha 560. It is rated for 550 shots on its NP-FM500H battery, against 470 from the Kr's D-LI109, an 80-shot advantage for longer outings between charges. Storage support also differs. The Sony accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC cards plus Memory Stick Pro Duo media, while the Kr is limited to SD and SDHC. High-capacity SDXC cards therefore read directly only in the Sony. Both cameras have a single card slot and no USB charging. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | D-LI109 | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
470 shots1505000 | 550 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony Alpha 560 if your shooting leans toward video, framing from awkward angles or long days out. Its Full HD recording, 60 fps ceiling, flip-out screen and 550-shot rating cover those needs, and its extra megapixels aid wildlife cropping.
Choose the Pentax Kr for stills-first photography, particularly sports and action. Its 6 fps burst and 1/6000 second shutter capture faster moments in bright light, and its built-in timelapse simplifies interval projects. Each choice commits you to its own lens mount, so factor in the lenses you plan to buy.