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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-70

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Pentax K-70 front
Portability
62
Imaging
67
Features
81
Overall
72

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-70 Key Specs

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 Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-1 II
Pentax K-70
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 102400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 688g - 126 x 93 x 74mm
  • Introduced June 2016
  • Updated by Pentax KF
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-70 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-70, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are manufactured by Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and K-70 (24MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and K-70 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizing.

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The K-1 was brought out 3 months before the K-70 and they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-70 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the K-1 scores vs the K-70 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 K-1 K-70 
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kSharper screen (+116k dot)

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

 K-70 K-1 
Selfie screen Take selfies

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

 K-1 K-70 
IntroducedFebruary 2016June 2016Similar age
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-70 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-1 provides external dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) and the Pentax K-70 has measurements of 126mm x 93mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9") and a weight of 688 grams (1.52 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-70 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the K-1 against the K-70.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-70 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the K-1 and K-70 is 55 and 62 respectively.

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

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-70 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions merely by looking at specifications. The image here should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-1 and K-70.

To sum up, both the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The K-1 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh simpler and the Pentax K-1 will give more detail having its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures more aggressively.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-70 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-70 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-70 as a Portrait photography camera
85
focusing manually
great resolution (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
80
you can focus manually
MP count good (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 Street photography factors
Pentax K-70 Street photography factors
70
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
great high ISO (204,800)
heavier than others (1,010g)
71
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
very good ISO range (102,400)
more heavy than others (688g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-1
Sports photography with Pentax K-70
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great resolution (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.4 frames/s)
not so great battery life (760 CIPA)
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
terrible battery life (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 Travel photography information
Pentax K-70 Travel photography information
53
weather sealing
great resolution (36MP)
not so great battery life (760 CIPA)
heavier than others (1,010 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly display
64
weather proof
MP count good (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
terrible battery life (410 shots)
more heavy than others (688 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-70 Landscape photography factors
81
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great resolution (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (204,800)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
2 card slots
not so great battery life (760 CIPA)
78
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (102,400)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
terrible battery life (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-1
Vlogging with Pentax K-70
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic support
does not posses selfie friendly display
heavier than others (1,010 grams)
71
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone port
more heavy than others (688 grams)
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-70
 Pentax K-1Pentax K-70
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-1 Pentax K-70
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2016-02-17 2016-06-08
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 7360 x 4912 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 204800 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 33 11
Cross type focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.63x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 4.4 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options 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 Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1010g (2.23 lb) 688g (1.52 lb)
Physical dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 126 x 93 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 96 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 25.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 3280 not tested
Other
Battery life 760 photos 410 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 secs, continuous)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible)
Storage slots Dual One
Price at release $1,499 $649