Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-70

In this article, we will be evaluating the Pentax K-5 versus Pentax K-70, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are offered by Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the K-5 (16MP) and K-70 (24MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-5 was announced 6 years before the K-70 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-70 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the K-5 scores vs the K-70 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-5 & Pentax K-70. The whole galleries are available at Pentax K-5 Gallery & Pentax K-70 Gallery.

If you're aiming to lug around your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-5 has got outside measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) while the Pentax K-70 has dimensions of 126mm x 93mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9") with a weight of 688 grams (1.52 lbs).

See the Pentax K-5 versus Pentax K-70 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the K-5 against the K-70.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the K-5 and K-70 is 60 and 62 respectively.

Often, it is difficult to see the gap in sensor measurements only by seeing specs. The photograph below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the K-5 and K-70.

All in all, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Pentax K-70 to provide greater detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older K-5 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.