Related Gear

Fujifilm X-Pro1

Offering a high-end set of features in a stylish body,...
Nikon D4

Positioned at the top end of Nikon’s D-SLR range, the...
Olympus OM-D

With an old-school appearance and a few new creative functions,...
Canon G1X

At a time when most of the camera-making world is...
See all

Gear Reviews

Pentax K-r

£399.00

from Pentax

Pentax K-r

£399.00

Photo answers rating
Owners' rating

On paper, the Pentax K-r features an attractive specification and a number of appealing features for an entry-level D-SLR.

from £399.97 at	from £419.00 at	from £435.00 at	from £479.99 at
from £479.99 at	from £479.99 at	from £481.83 at

Compare Pentax K-R prices from all 7 stores

Photo answers review

Photo answers rating

The 12.4Mp CMOS sensor, derived from the K-x model, offers an impressive ISO range of 100-12,800 with an ISO ceiling of 25,600 when the sensitivity is expanded, and the 1.5x crop factor turns the 18-55mm kit lens into an 27-82.5mm in film terms. The Pentax K-r’s phase-detect autofocus system features 11 AF points with nine cross-type sensors in the centre, while it also boasts a 6fps continuous shooting burst rate.

Features & performance

To rule out camera shake, Pentax’s Shake Reduction (SR) technology is featured and HD video is present (albeit at 1280x720@ 25fps rather than full HD) with a maximum recording time of 11mins 30secs. Below the K-r’s optical viewfinder (offering 96% frame coverage) is a clear and sharp 3in, 921k-dot screen and in the hand it feels muscular with a very well designed handgrip that adopts a solid rubberised coating from Pentax’s other enthusiast D-SLRs. The arrangement of buttons is concise with a Live View button directly below the playback button and a D-Pad controlling Self-timer, ISO, Flash and White Balance settings. The central OK button is used to reposition the AF point in the frame but we’d prefer a separate button elsewhere to prevent accidently changing White Balance or ISO. In terms of AF operation, it locked onto subjects quickly, though we noted the 18-55mm lens was quite loud with distinct whirring noises that were off-putting. The white-on-dark-grey menu interface was not as easy or as intuitive to navigate as others, yet we did like the Info button, which doubles up as a Quick menu, offering control of image quality, metering and AF modes.

AT A GLANCE

Street Price: £398 (with 18-55mm kit lens)
Resolution: 12.4Mp
Lens Mount: Pentax KAF-2 Mount
Crop Factor: 1.5x
Focusing: 11-point selectable
Viewfinder: Optical, 96% coverage
Burst Rate: 6fps (10 RAW & 16 JPEG)
ISO Range: 200-12800 (expandable to 25,600)
Shutter range: 30secs-1/6000sec
Screen: 3in, 921k-dot
Video: 1280x720p@25fps
Storage: SD/SDHC
Weight: 544g
Dimensions: 125x97x68mm

www.pentax.co.uk