Pentax K-r vs Samsung Galaxy NX

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-r vs Samsung Galaxy NX

APS-C 369.7mm²
12.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-r Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-r.

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung Galaxy NX Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung Galaxy NX in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the Galaxy NX.
Compare Samsung Galaxy NX image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Samsung Galaxy NX conclusion.

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Differences

Pentax K-r advantages over Samsung Galaxy NX

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$850 vs $1400 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 5.53 vs 4.29 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 2.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Less shutter lag
0.10 vs 0.33 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Bigger JPEG buffer
30 vs 15 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Samsung Galaxy NX advantages over Pentax K-r

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
Galaxy NX test data on DxO Mark K-r test data on DxO Mark

910 vs 750 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
25 mm vs 68 mm
Thinner
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
More dots on screen
2765k vs 921k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More viewfinder magnification
0.69x vs 0.57x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
20.3 vs 12.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
8.2 fps vs 5.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

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
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-r User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Read our Pentax K-r Full Review

Read our Samsung Galaxy NX Review

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

Compare Pentax K-r vs Nikon D3000

Samsung Galaxy NX

Nikon D3000

$8000
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$450
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Samsung Galaxy NX vs Nikon D3000

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

Compare Pentax K-r vs Pentax K-x

Samsung Galaxy NX

Pentax K-x

$8000
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Lens selection

Compare Samsung Galaxy NX vs Pentax K-x

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

Compare Pentax K-r vs Nikon D3100

Samsung Galaxy NX

Nikon D3100

$8000
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Samsung Galaxy NX vs Nikon D3100

Compared to Fujifilm X-E1

Pentax K-r

Fujifilm X-E1

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1299
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-r vs Fujifilm X-E1

Samsung Galaxy NX

Fujifilm X-E1

$8000
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
External Mic Jack

Compare Samsung Galaxy NX vs Fujifilm X-E1

Compared to Leica CL

Pentax K-r

Leica CL

$850
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

$3195
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-r vs Leica CL

Samsung Galaxy NX

Leica CL

$8000
APS-C

Built-in Bluetooth
Built-in GPS

$3195
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Top deck display

Compare Samsung Galaxy NX vs Leica CL

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