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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax P70

Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Pentax Optio P70 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax P70 Key Specs

Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Introduced April 2014
  • Later Model is Pentax K-3 II
Pentax P70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Launched March 2009
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax P70 Overview

The following is a in depth analysis of the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax P70, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Ultracompact and they are both designed by Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and P70 (12MP) and the K-3 (APS-C) and P70 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The K-3 was brought out 5 years after the P70 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax P70 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the K-3 scores vs the P70 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax P70

 K-3 P70 
LaunchedApril 2014March 2009Newer by 63 months
Screen sizing3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Pentax K-3

 P70 K-3 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Pentax P70

 K-3 P70 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax P70 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Pentax K-3 comes with exterior measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Pentax P70 has specifications of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax P70 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the K-3 compared to the P70.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax P70 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 and P70 is 59 and 95 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax P70 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax P70 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by looking at specs. The image underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the K-3 and P70.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The K-3 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Pentax K-3 will resolve greater detail having its extra 12MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more recent K-3 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax P70 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax P70 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax P70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 Portrait photography features
Pentax P70 Portrait photography features
79
manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
27
you can focus manually
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 Street photography factors
Pentax P70 Street photography factors
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
screen is fixed
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
heavier than competitors (155 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 Sports photography highlights
Pentax P70 Sports photography highlights
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery pack (560 per charge)
17
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000 seconds)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 Travel photography information
Pentax P70 Travel photography information
60
environment proof
megapixel count good (24MP)
has built in flash
terrible battery pack (560 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly display
56
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (155 grams)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 Landscape photography information
Pentax P70 Landscape photography information
77
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
has double storage slots
terrible battery pack (560 CIPA)
32
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax P70 as a Vlogging camera
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone port
does not feature selfie friendly display
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic socket
heavier than competitors (155g)
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax P70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Pentax P70
 Pentax K-3Pentax Optio P70
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-3 Pentax Optio P70
Type Advanced DSLR Ultracompact
Introduced 2014-04-10 2009-03-02
Physical type Mid-size SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Prime III -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Maximum resolution 6016 x 4000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 51200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 27 9
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Available lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.60 m
Flash options Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
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, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 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
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 grams (1.76 pounds) 155 grams (0.34 pounds)
Dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1216 not tested
Other
Battery life 560 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 2 Single
Launch pricing $639 $200