Pentax Kr vs Sony SLT Alpha 55 — Which Is Better?
Side by side50 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 12.4 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Pentax Kr
49
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 16.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 55
51
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax Kr and the Sony SLT Alpha 55 are both APS-C DSLRs released in 2010. Each pairs a CMOS sensor with in-body stabilisation, so any lens you mount gains shake reduction for handheld work in dim light. The lens systems are the first decision: the Kr uses Pentax KAF, the Alpha 55 uses Sony Alpha DT, and lenses do not cross between them. Your existing glass, or the secondhand market you buy from, should anchor the choice. The Alpha 55 is also the lighter body, 500 g against 598 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 | 124 x 92 x 85 mm |
| Camera weight | 598 g | 500 g |
| Optics | 54/100 | 58/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 55 is the stronger choice for action and cropping, with 16.2 megapixels against 12.4 on the Kr and 10 frames per second against 6. The extra pixels give more room to crop a distant bird or stage performer, and the faster burst suits sprinters and birds in flight. The Alpha 55's electronic finder shows exposure changes as they happen, with 1,150,000 dots, while the Kr's optical pentamirror shows the scene directly. The Kr counters with a shorter 1/6000 second top shutter against 1/4000 on the Sony, useful for wide apertures in bright light. Sony also offers 15 autofocus points to the Kr's 11. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.4 MP050 | 16.2 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 | 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 | 10 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 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Alpha 55 is the clear pick if video matters. Its top resolution is Full HD and its maximum frame rate is 30 fps, against Standard HD and 25 fps on the Kr. It records in AVCHD or MP4, while the Kr uses Motion JPEG. The Kr's one video advantage is its built-in interval timelapse. | ||
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 | 30 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 ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 55 has GPS, so travel photographers can geotag every frame automatically. Its screen also flips out for waist-level and overhead shots at crowded events. The Kr has neither. Both lack Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so images move by card rather than wirelessly. Where they match, both cameras give a 3 inch LCD with 921,000 dots, plus live view, a built-in flash and support for an external flash. Neither has 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. |
No |  Yes |
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 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Kr has the rated endurance advantage at 470 shots, against 380 on the Alpha 55. The Alpha 55 has the storage edge: it accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC cards plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo. The Kr stops at SD and SDHC, so SDXC cards are not an option. Neither camera offers dual card slots or 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-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
470 shots1505000 | 380 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
| Meta | ||
| Field provenance | — | [object Object] |
| Score validation | ||
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
— | camera-spec-score-v1-sheet-2026-08-20 |
| Status | — | complete |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony SLT Alpha 55 if you photograph movement or shoot video. Its 10 fps burst suits sports and wildlife, while Full HD recording, GPS geotagging and the flip-out screen cover travel and movie work. The 16.2 megapixel sensor also gives more cropping latitude for distant subjects.
Choose the Pentax Kr if you shoot mostly stills, prefer an optical viewfinder, want the longer rated battery life, or need built-in timelapse. The lens library you already own or plan to build should anchor the choice, since lenses do not cross between mounts.