Sony DSLR-A230 vs Pentax K-r

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony DSLR-A230 vs Pentax K-r

APS-C 369.7mm²
10.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Sony DSLR-A230 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the DSLR-A230.

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.

Buy From

Differences

Sony DSLR-A230 advantages over Pentax K-r

Less expensive
$549 vs $850 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Pentax K-r advantages over Sony DSLR-A230

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.6 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
K-r test data on DxO Mark DSLR-A230 test data on DxO Mark

750 vs 531 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More dots on screen
921k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
12.4 vs 10.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
5.6 fps vs 2.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
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
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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Neither provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony DSLR-A230

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-r

Review Excerpt

Read our Sony DSLR-A230 Review

Read our Pentax K-r Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon XS

Sony DSLR-A230

Canon XS

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$440
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs Canon XS

Pentax K-r

Canon XS

$850
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$440
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Pentax K-r vs Canon XS

Compared to Sony DSLR-A330

Sony DSLR-A230

Sony DSLR-A330

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
More viewfinder magnification

$530
APS-C

Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs Sony DSLR-A330

Pentax K-r

Sony DSLR-A330

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$530
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-r vs Sony DSLR-A330

Compared to Nikon D3000

Sony DSLR-A230

Nikon D3000

$549
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
HDMI out

$450
APS-C

Lens selection
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs 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

Compared to Pentax K-x

Sony DSLR-A230

Pentax K-x

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$702
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs 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

Compared to Nikon D3100

Sony DSLR-A230

Nikon D3100

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs 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

Compare Other Cameras?