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Pentax K-70 vs Sony A9

Portability
62
Imaging
67
Features
81
Overall
72
Pentax K-70 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Pentax K-70 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

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
  • Released June 2016
  • Refreshed by Pentax KF
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Released April 2017
  • Refreshed by Sony A9 II
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Pentax K-70 vs Sony A9 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Pentax K-70 versus Sony A9, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-70 (24MP) and the A9 (24MP) is relatively close but the K-70 (APS-C) and A9 (Full frame) possess different sensor dimensions.

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The K-70 was unveiled 10 months earlier than the A9 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-70 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a short view of how the K-70 matches up against the A9 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-70 over the Sony A9

 K-70 A9 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Pentax K-70

 A9 K-70 
ReleasedApril 2017June 2016Newer by 10 months
Screen resolution1440k921kSharper screen (+519k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-70 and Sony A9

 K-70 A9 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing

Pentax K-70 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-70 features outer measurements of 126mm x 93mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9") along with a weight of 688 grams (1.52 lbs) while the Sony A9 has dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") and a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-70 versus Sony A9 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the K-70 against the A9.

Pentax K-70 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the K-70 and A9 is 62 and 65 respectively.

Pentax K-70 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-70 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by researching specifications. The image here may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-70 and A9.

Plainly, the 2 cameras offer the same exact MP albeit different sensor dimensions. The K-70 has got the smaller sensor which will make getting shallower DOF more challenging. The more aged K-70 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-70 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-70 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-70 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-70 Portrait photography factors
Sony A9 Portrait photography factors
80
manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
83
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-70 as a Street photography camera
Sony A9 as a Street photography camera
71
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
great high ISO (102,400)
heavier than competition (688g)
79
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
comes with touch focus
environment proof
above average high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-70
Sports photography with Sony A9
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
supports phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
not so great battery life (410 CIPA)
86
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (20.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proof
good battery life (650 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-70 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A9 as a Travel photography camera
64
environment proof
good MP (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
not so great battery life (410 shots)
heavier than competition (688 grams)
73
good battery life (650 CIPA)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
comes with touch focus
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-70 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A9 as a Landscape photography camera
78
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (102,400)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
not so great battery life (410 per charge)
85
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
good battery life (650 CIPA)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-70
Vlogging with Sony A9
71
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external mic support
heavier than competition (688g)
36
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
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Pentax K-70 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-70 and Sony A9
 Pentax K-70Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-70 Sony Alpha A9
Type Entry-Level DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Released 2016-06-08 2017-04-19
Physical type Compact SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor PRIME MII BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 102400 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 693
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Available lenses 151 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per second 20.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, 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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 688 gr (1.52 lb) 673 gr (1.48 lb)
Dimensions 126 x 93 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 92
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 3517
Other
Battery life 410 photographs 650 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, continuous) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots 1 Dual
Price at release $649 $4,498