Pentax Kr vs Sony SLT Alpha 35 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 12.4 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Pentax Kr
49
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 16 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 35
50
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax Kr and the Sony SLT Alpha 35 are APS-C DSLRs launched one year apart, and the Sony is the lighter carry for travel. It weighs 415 g against the Kr's 598 g, a 183 g saving. Each draws on its own native lens system, Pentax KAF for the Kr and Sony Alpha DT for the Sony, so lenses do not transfer between them. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2010 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 9, 2010 | June 8, 2011 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 125 x 97 x 68 mm | 124 x 92 x 85 mm |
| Camera weight | 598 g | 415 g |
| Optics | 54/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony SLT Alpha 35 is the stronger choice when you want room to crop distant subjects. Its 16 MP sensor delivers more pixels than the Kr's 12.4 MP, which helps a framed bird or stage performer survive tighter cropping. Its 15 autofocus points outnumber the Kr's 11, giving more places to lock focus on a moving runner. The Kr counters for fast action in daylight. It shoots at 6 fps against 5.5 fps and reaches a 1/6000 second shutter versus 1/4000 on the Sony, the shorter exposure freezing wingbeats and splashing water. For framing, the Sony's electronic viewfinder offers 1,150,000 dots and a live preview of your settings, while the Kr relies on an optical pentamirror view. Both provide in-body stabilisation for handheld work in dim light. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.4 MP050 | 16 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 | 4912 x 3264 |
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 23.5 |
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 | 5.5 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) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 115000009900000 |
| Video | 49/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Sony SLT Alpha 35 is the clear pick for video. It records Full HD while the Kr tops out at Standard HD, so its footage keeps more detail on a large screen. Its maximum frame rate of 60 fps, 2.4 times the Kr's 25 fps, gives cleaner half-speed slow motion for sport. The Kr's one video edge is a built-in interval timer for timelapse sequences of tides or clouds. | ||
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 | MP4, AVCHD |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Sony's tilting screen gives it the framing advantage, letting you compose from ground level for flowers or hold the camera overhead in a crowd. The Kr's screen is fixed, so live view stays at eye level. Both panels measure 3 inches with 921,000 dots, so focus checks show the same detail. Both carry a pop-up flash plus a shoe for external units. Neither offers GPS, Wi-Fi or weather sealing. | ||
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 | 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. |
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 | 24/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryOnly the Sony can take a high-capacity SDXC card. It accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC media alongside Memory Stick Pro Duo, while the Kr is limited to SD and SDHC. That extra capacity suits long trips where swapping cards is inconvenient. Battery ratings sit close, at 470 shots for the Kr against 440 for the Sony. Each has a single card slot, and neither charges its battery over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | D-LI109 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
470 shots1505000 | 440 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Buy the Sony SLT Alpha 35 for heavy cropping, video recording or the lightest travel body. Its 16 MP sensor, Full HD video, 60 fps frame rate and 415 g weight deliver that. The Pentax Kr is the better tool for daylight sports, where its 6 fps burst and 1/6000 second shutter keep fast motion sharp, and its interval timer covers timelapse work. Owners of either system should stay with their native mount.