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Canon 70D vs Pentax K-1

Portability
59
Imaging
62
Features
84
Overall
70
Canon EOS 70D front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Canon 70D vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Canon 70D
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 755g - 139 x 104 x 79mm
  • Launched October 2013
  • Old Model is Canon 60D
  • Newer Model is Canon 80D
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Introduced February 2016
  • Replacement is Pentax K-1 II
Photography Glossary

Canon 70D vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Canon 70D and Pentax K-1, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the 70D (20MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the 70D (APS-C) and K-1 (Full frame) have totally different sensor size.

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The 70D was launched 3 years before the K-1 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the 70D scores against the K-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 70D over the Pentax K-1

 70D K-1 
Display resolution1040k1037kClearer display (+3k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Canon 70D

 K-1 70D 
IntroducedFebruary 2016October 2013More modern by 27 months
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon 70D and Pentax K-1

 70D K-1 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display

Canon 70D vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon 70D offers exterior dimensions of 139mm x 104mm x 79mm (5.5" x 4.1" x 3.1") with a weight of 755 grams (1.66 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 has measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Contrast the Canon 70D and Pentax K-1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the 70D compared to the K-1.

Canon 70D vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 70D and K-1 is 59 and 55 respectively.

Canon 70D vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Canon 70D vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes only by reading technical specs. The image here might give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the 70D and K-1.

As you have seen, both of those cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The 70D due to its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-1 will deliver more detail utilizing its extra 16 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more aged 70D is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon 70D vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Canon 70D vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 70D vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 70D Portrait photography details
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography details
77
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
85
manual focus
amazing resolution (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon 70D as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
68
screen can move to multiple angles
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
offers touch to focus
environment proof
does not have image stabilization
70
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
above average ISO range (204,800)
heavier than competition in class (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon 70D Sports photography advice
Pentax K-1 Sports photography advice
73
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing resolution (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (4.4 frames per second)
bad battery power (760 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 70D Travel photography info
Pentax K-1 Travel photography info
69
environment proof
offers touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse recording
53
weather sealing
amazing resolution (36MP)
bad battery power (760 per charge)
heavier than competition in class (1,010g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 70D Landscape photography details
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography details
69
focusing manually
change lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse recording
81
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing resolution (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
above average ISO range (204,800)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
two card slots
bad battery power (760 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 70D Vlogging info
Pentax K-1 Vlogging info
69
screen is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
features face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic support
does not have image stabilization
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
heavier than competition in class (1,010 grams)
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Canon 70D vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 70D and Pentax K-1
 Canon EOS 70DPentax K-1
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model Canon EOS 70D Pentax K-1
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2013-10-31 2016-02-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 5+ -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 22.5 x 15mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 337.5mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 12800 204800
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 19 33
Cross focus points 19 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF/EF-S Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 326 151
Crop factor 1.6 1
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display size 3" 3.2"
Display resolution 1,040k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology Clear View II TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps), 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (59.94, 50 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Built-in
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 755g (1.66 pounds) 1010g (2.23 pounds)
Physical dimensions 139 x 104 x 79mm (5.5" x 4.1" x 3.1") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 68 96
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 14.6
DXO Low light score 926 3280
Other
Battery life 920 pictures 760 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E6 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, remote) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots Single Dual
Pricing at launch $758 $1,499