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Pentax K-70 vs Sony A230

Portability
62
Imaging
67
Features
81
Overall
72
Pentax K-70 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Pentax K-70 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Pentax K-70
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 688g - 126 x 93 x 74mm
  • Revealed June 2016
  • Replacement is Pentax KF
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A200
  • Refreshed by Sony A290
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Pentax K-70 vs Sony A230 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Pentax K-70 and Sony A230, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the K-70 (24MP) and A230 (10MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-70 was launched 7 years after the A230 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before getting through a detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the K-70 scores against the A230 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-70 over the Sony A230

 K-70 A230 
LaunchedJune 2016May 2009Newer by 86 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Pentax K-70

 A230 K-70 

Common features in the Pentax K-70 and Sony A230

 K-70 A230 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-70 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-70 has got external dimensions of 126mm x 93mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9") with a weight of 688 grams (1.52 lbs) and the Sony A230 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

See the Pentax K-70 and Sony A230 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the K-70 and the A230.

Pentax K-70 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the K-70 and A230 is 62 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-70 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-70 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions purely by checking out a spec sheet. The pic underneath will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-70 and A230.

As you can see, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should expect the Pentax K-70 to show extra detail utilizing its extra 14 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more recent K-70 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-70 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-70 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-70 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-70 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A230 Portrait photography highlights
80
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
54
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-70
Street photography with Sony A230
71
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
good ISO range (102,400)
more heavy than average in class (688 grams)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-70 Sports photography info
Sony A230 Sports photography info
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
terrible battery pack (410 CIPA)
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
low battery life (230 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-70 Travel photography advice
Sony A230 Travel photography advice
64
environment proofing
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
terrible battery pack (410 shots)
more heavy than average in class (688g)
45
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery life (230 shots)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-70 Landscape photography information
Sony A230 Landscape photography information
78
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
good ISO range (102,400)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
terrible battery pack (410 shots)
51
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (10MP)
low battery life (230 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-70 Vlogging info
Sony A230 Vlogging info
71
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone jack
more heavy than average in class (688 grams)
9
lack of video recording
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Pentax K-70 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-70 and Sony A230
 Pentax K-70Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-70 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2016-06-08 2009-05-18
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip PRIME MII Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 102400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m
Flash options Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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 688g (1.52 pounds) 490g (1.08 pounds)
Dimensions 126 x 93 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 63
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 531
Other
Battery life 410 photos 230 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, continuous) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible) SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $649 $569