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Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax X70

Portability
64
Imaging
36
Features
50
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS front
 
Pentax X70 front
Portability
71
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax X70 Key Specs

Canon SX40 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 600g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Announced September 2011
  • Replaced the Canon SX30 IS
  • Updated by Canon SX50 HS
Pentax X70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 50 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 410g - 110 x 83 x 90mm
  • Released March 2009
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Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax X70 Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Canon SX40 HS and Pentax X70, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the SX40 HS (12MP) and the X70 (12MP) is fairly close and they use the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX40 HS was launched 2 years after the X70 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SX40 HS matches up vs the X70 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX40 HS over the Pentax X70

 SX40 HS X70 
ReleasedSeptember 2011March 2009Newer by 31 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Canon SX40 HS

 X70 SX40 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX40 HS and Pentax X70

 SX40 HS X70 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display measurement
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax X70 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX40 HS enjoys physical dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Pentax X70 has specifications of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") along with a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX40 HS and Pentax X70 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the SX40 HS versus the X70.

Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax X70 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX40 HS and X70 is 64 and 71 respectively.

Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax X70 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax X70 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions just by viewing specs. The picture underneath might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX40 HS and X70.

All in all, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the identical megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of images though you need to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The fresher SX40 HS provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax X70 sensor size comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax X70 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax X70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Portrait photography highlights
Pentax X70 Portrait photography highlights
41
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
offers face detection focusing
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
29
manual focus
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX40 HS
Street photography with Pentax X70
49
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competitors (600g)
46
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX40 HS
Sports photography with Pentax X70
43
excellent zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery pack (380 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
50
great zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Travel photography information
Pentax X70 Travel photography information
55
better than average battery pack (380 per charge)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
pretty wide (24mm)
great reach (840mm)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors (600g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
52
built-in flash
quite wide (26mm)
long reach (624mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX40 HS Landscape photography advice
Pentax X70 Landscape photography advice
38
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery pack (380 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7 inch)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse recording
36
manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX40 HS as a Vlogging camera
Pentax X70 as a Vlogging camera
57
pretty wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
no external microphone port
more heavy than competitors (600 grams)
24
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax X70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX40 HS and Pentax X70
 Canon PowerShot SX40 HSPentax X70
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX40 HS Pentax X70
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-09-15 2009-03-02
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 50
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-840mm (35.0x) 26-624mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.7-5.8 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing distance 0cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech PureColor II VA TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 9.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600g (1.32 pounds) 410g (0.90 pounds)
Dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 380 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-10L D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $330 $200