• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-r advantages over Nikon D600

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Lighter weight
    852g vs 1350g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.26 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D600 advantages over Pentax K-r

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,980 vs 750 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.2 vs 12.4 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 470 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • 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 viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.57x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 12.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    39 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Great controls for amateur or pro; Good grip and heft; Impressive low-light performance; Very good dynamic range; Excellent battery life; Built-in lens correction.

  • Dust and oil spatter problem; Moire problem with certain subjects; Slower X-sync speed; Slow AF in Live view mode; Aliasing in videos.

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
Nikon D600
Nikon D3000
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $450
  • APS-C

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
Nikon D600
Pentax K-x
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $702
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Lighter weight

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
Nikon D600
Nikon D3100
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compared to Canon 6D

Pentax K-r
Canon 6D
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D600
Canon 6D
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Nikon D610

Pentax K-r
Nikon D610
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Lighter weight
  • $1271
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon D600
Nikon D610
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • $1271
  • 35mm
  • Faster RAW shooting
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