• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 130.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax K-r advantages over Sony TX200V

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.53 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 470 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    30 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony TX200V advantages over Pentax K-r

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $850 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Thinner
    16 mm vs 68 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    1230k 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 pixels
    18.2 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
    10.0 fps vs 5.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

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
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

  • Compact and very attractive; water, dust, and freeze-proofed design; useful zoom range from a healthy wide angle to a moderate telephoto; good performance for its form-factor.

  • Poor ergonomics and clumsy user interface; noise present even at base ISO, becomes obtrusive by ISO 3,200; lens is soft in the corners and rather dim.

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
Sony TX200V
Nikon D3000
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

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
Sony TX200V
Pentax K-x
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $702
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

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
Sony TX200V
Nikon D3100
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony TX20

Pentax K-r
Sony TX20
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $370
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Sony TX200V
Sony TX20
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $370
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Sony TX30

Pentax K-r
Sony TX30
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Sony TX200V
Sony TX30
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
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