Pentax K-R. new mid-range DSLR

Monday, December 20, 2010

Pentax K-R. new mid-range DSLR

The K-r is an interesting camera - it has a full complement of flashy features, but at heart the K-r is a fairly straightforward (and for today), fairly basic DSLR.

Pentax has long been the bridesmaid of the DSLR market. As professionals almost exclusively opt for Nikon and Canon bodies to get access to top-end lenses and accessories, that apathy towards Pentax trickles down to consumers.

That hasn't stopped Pentax putting out some cracking consumer DSLRs, though. The K-x has long held a place in our hearts for its excellent image quality and top-notch kit lens, and the Pentax Kr is effectively its bigger brother.

Despite the visual similarities to the K-x the K-r comes with components from both the K-x and K-7 and features some entirely new functionalities as well. Like the K-x it captures its images and 720p video footage on a 12.4 sensor. Like on the K-7 images and menus can be viewed on a 3.0 inch LCD screen with 921k pixels resolution. Additionally the K-r offers the widest ISO range (100-25600 in extended mode) and fastest continuous shooting (6.0 fps) of all current Pentax DSLRs. New features include an IR simple interface (wireless data transfer to compatible devices), a cross processing mode and a Night Scene HDR mode. For those photographers who cannot decide if they prefer AA batteries or a proprietary rechargeable battery as their camera's source of power the K-r offers both options. It comes with a rechargeable battery as standard but AA batteries can be used with the help of an optional adapter.

Apart from the new battery feature the Pentax K-r doesn't really offer anything totally new or out of the ordinary but the specification sheet does certainly look very strong for a camera of this class. The K-r's RRP at launch is $800 (£599) including the 18-55mm kit lens. Considering the street price is likely to start dropping pretty soon after the camera is available on retailer shelves the K-r looks (at least on paper) like more than a viable alternative to some of the more established rivals' competing models.

Pentax is playing a dangerous game, though. The K-x remains hugely desirable at just £400, while the circling sharks of Canon and Nikon's mid-range DSLRs are never far away. Can Pentax convince us it's worth the cash?.

Pentax K-r compared to K-x and K-7

	K-7	K-r	K-x
Image sensor	14.6Mp CMOS	12.4Mp CMOS	12.4Mp CMOS
Imaging engine	Prime II	Prime II	Prime II
Sensitivity	100-3200 (6400 with expansion)	200-12800 (100 and 25,600 with expansion)	200-6400 (100 and 12,800 with expansion)
Continuous shooting speed	5.2fps (40 frames)	6.0 fps (25 frames)	4.7fps (17 frames)
AF	SAFOX VIII+ with superimposed points 11-points (selectable) AF-assist lamp	SAFOX IX 11-points (selectable)	SAFOX VIII 11-points (selectable)
AF point confirmation in viewfinder	Yes	Yes	No
AE	77-segment	16-segment	16-segment
Viewfinder	Pentaprism Coverage: 100% Magnification: 0.95	Pentamirror Coverage: 96% Magnification: 0.85	Pentamirror Coverage: 96% Magnification: 0.85
LCD screen	3.0 in, 920k pixels	3.0 in, 921k pixels	2.7 in, 230k pixels
Movies	1024p 30fps (1536 x 1024)	720p 24fps	720p 24fps
Microphone	Mono internal or stereo external	Mono internal	Mono internal
HDMI output	Yes	No	No
IR simple	No	Yes	No
Cross process mode	No	Yes	No
Night Scene HDR	No	Yes	No
Movie custom images modes	No	Yes	No
Battery	Rechargeable battery	Rechargeable battery or four AA batteries (with adapter)	Four AA batteries
Cold resistant to -10deg	Yes	No	No
Weather resistant	Yes	No	No
Weight (body only)	670g	544g	515g

Pentax K-r Performance: Click on the thumbnails for larger images.

Metering is reliable under a wide variety of conditions.		Pseudo infra-red images work well with the K-r sensor.

It is almost impossible to induce any degree of flare.		Bold colours have vibrancy and depth.