Pentax K-70 vs Sony NEX-7: A Hands-On Deep Dive for Enthusiasts and Pros

When it comes to finding a camera that fits your photographic passions, the choices can be dizzying. Today, I’m rolling up my sleeves to compare two intriguing contenders from different corners of the mirrorless and DSLR universe: the 2016 Pentax K-70 and the 2011 Sony NEX-7. Both boast APS-C sensors and a roughly similar resolution, but their design philosophies and feature sets couldn't be more different. Drawing on over fifteen years of testing gear in all sorts of light and settings - from dusty trails to concert halls - I'll take you through a comprehensive, no-nonsense comparison to help you decide which camera deserves a spot in your bag.

First Impressions and Handling: Size, Feel, and Controls

The K-70 carries the traditional DSLR design with a pronounced grip and a pentaprism viewfinder, whereas the NEX-7 opts for a sleek rangefinder-style mirrorless body with a smaller footprint.

Physically, the Pentax weighs in at about 688 grams and measures 126x93x74 mm. It’s chunky, but in a reassuring way - as if it's made to be handled all day without turning your wrist to jelly. The body feels rugged, complete with weather sealing, which is a serious plus if you do a lot of outdoor or adventure shooting.

In contrast, the Sony NEX-7 is a featherweight at 400 grams and a slim 120x67x43 mm. You can practically stash it in a jacket pocket. Its mirrorless design means no bulky mirror box, so it’s better suited for moments when discretion and portability matter - think street photography or travel.

In terms of grip, though, the NEX-7 feels more delicate. It’s less comfortable for long sessions, especially with heavy lenses. The K-70’s pronounced grip invites a more secure handhold, which will appeal to photographers who club their thumbs rather than cradle their cameras.

When it comes to controls, both have their merits. The K-70 sports a familiar DSLR layout that Nikon or Canon users will find intuitive. It includes dedicated dials, but it's not cluttered. The NEX-7, interestingly, goes for more customizable buttons and a unique control ring around the lens mount, which enthusiasts will appreciate for quick manual focusing.

The top control design of the K-70 is utilitarian with clearly labeled modes and a dedicated ISO dial - a nod to analog-era control lovers - whereas the NEX-7 offers fewer mechanical dials but leans on customizability and quicker menu access.

Sensor Tech & Image Quality: Pixel Peeping and Beyond

Both cameras pack a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.5 x 15.6 mm, but Pentax and Sony have chosen different routes in sensor design and processing engines, which leads to diverging image character and performance.

The Sony NEX-7’s sensor includes an anti-aliasing (AA) filter, which slightly blunts the finest details to reduce moiré and false textures in patterned scenes. The Pentax K-70, by forgoing this filter, delivers sharper images with a more "pixel-pop" look straight out of the gate, great if your workflow enjoys extracting every ounce of detail.

Raw image support in both cameras is rock solid, but the K-70 benefits from Pentax’s PRIME MII processor, which is known for excellent noise management even at higher ISOs. It impressively stretches native ISO up to 102,400, handy for shooting in near darkness (though image quality obviously declines significantly beyond ISO 6400 in practical terms).

Sony’s Bionz processor in the NEX-7 also manages noise well, but the maximum native ISO caps at 16,000, so it’s not designed to compete with the Pentax in ultra-low-light.

Speaking of low light and color, the NEX-7 scores slightly higher in DxO Mark’s color depth and dynamic range scores (24.1 and 13.4 stops respectively) than many cameras of its era, translating into punchier colors and retained highlight detail, though real-world differences can be subtle.

Pentax, meanwhile, proves its mettle in dynamic range, offering a respectable spread that, combined with noise suppression and pixel-sharp details, makes it a great all-around APS-C shooter. For users who shoot in RAW and like to push files in post, both cameras will satisfy, but the NEX-7 edges ahead in highlight retention and tonal smoothness.

Viewing and Composition: Optical vs. Electronic Viewfinders

One of the biggest divides between these two cameras is the viewing experience.

The K-70 comes with an optical pentaprism viewfinder offering 100% coverage and 0.63x magnification. Optical viewfinders give you a crystal-clear, immediate view of your scene without lag or pixelation, which matters when shooting fast-moving subjects or in bright sunlight.

On the other hand, the Sony NEX-7 steps into a different league with its electronic viewfinder (EVF), boasting 0.73x magnification and full coverage. The EVF provides a live preview of exposure, white balance, and depth of field - a huge advantage for those who want to nail their settings before pressing the shutter.

While I’m partial to optical viewfinders on principle (they’re lag-free and make you feel connected to the moment), the NEX-7’s EVF is impressively sharp and responsive considering its 2011 vintage.

Both cameras share 3-inch LCDs at 921k-dot resolution, but there’s a difference worth noting - Pentax’s is fully articulated, swinging out and rotating for tricky angles and selfies, an excellent boon for macro shooters or vloggers. Sony’s tilting screen is more limited and doesn’t flip around for front-facing use.

Autofocus Systems: Who’s Faster and Smarter?

The process of locking focus quickly and accurately can make or break your shoot, especially with moving subjects.

Pentax implements a hybrid system in the K-70, combining 11 phase-detection points (9 cross-type) with contrast-detection in live view. This gives it decent continuous AF capabilities and subject tracking, including face detection. However, it lacks some of the sophisticated AI-driven tracking technologies seen in recent cameras, and it doesn’t have animal eye-autofocus, which is a bummer for pet or wildlife photographers.

Sony took a different approach with the NEX-7, relying entirely on 25 contrast-detection autofocus points, with no phase-detection. This is a limitation, resulting in slower AF locking and less effective subject tracking in continuous shooting modes - especially in low-light or fast-moving sports scenarios.

Pentax K 70 front Pentax K 70 screen back Sony NEX 7 front Sony NEX 7 screen back

For still life, landscapes, portraits, and street photography where subjects tend to be stationary or move predictably, both cameras get the job done. But for wildlife and sports, the Pentax K-70’s AF will serve you better.

Burst Shooting and Buffering: Catching the Action

If you’re chasing fleeting action - say a sprinting athlete or a hawk in flight - frame rate and buffer depth are critical.

Sony’s mirrorless design gives it an edge in raw shooting speed: 10 fps continuous bursts, quite fast for its time, but with the caveat that autofocus tracking is less robust. The K-70 offers a solid 6 fps continuous rate, slightly slower but with more reliable AF tracking.

Sony also lacks animal eye AF and continuous AF tracking in burst mode, affecting hit rates. Pentax provides continuous autofocus during bursts with tracking, making it more trustworthy for capturing decisive moments.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: What Glass Can You Throw On?

This is where the story gets interesting.

Pentax K-70 mounts the KAF2 bayonet mount, compatible with a legacy of Pentax lenses going back decades - over 151 available options. This variety is a powerful magnet for Pentax fans and bargain hunters who can purchase affordable primes, legacy glass, and modern lenses optimized for digital sensors.

Sony NEX-7 uses the Sony E mount, designed for mirrorless compactness. While the E-mount lineup has grown impressively since 2011, the available glass at the NEX-7 launch was relatively limited compared to Pentax’s DSLR ecosystem. However, Sony E lenses are often praised for their sharpness, compactness, and fast apertures. You can also adapt many third-party lenses, though with some autofocus performance compromises.

For a user with a sizable Pentax lens collection or a penchant for adapting vintage glass, the K-70 is a clear winner. For someone wanting an evolving mirrorless system with steadily growing native lenses, Sony’s ecosystem has matured since the NEX-7 but was limited at its debut.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Shoot Anywhere Confidence

For outdoor shooters like landscape, wildlife, and travel photographers, how a camera resists the elements is crucial.

Pentax brings weather sealing to the table with the K-70, including resistance to dust and light rain. It’s not fully waterproof nor crush/shock-proof, but rugged enough for most outdoor jobs short of extreme conditions.

Sony’s NEX-7 doesn’t offer weather sealing. Its lighter, less chunky body demands more care in harsh environments. For casual travel and street use, it’s fine, but I’d think twice before bringing it on a muddy mountain hike.

Battery Life and Storage: Power Efficiency for Long Days

Battery longevity can sometimes be the Achilles heel of mirrorless cameras.

Pentax K-70 uses a proprietary battery pack and rates a respectable 410 shots per charge - solid territory for an APS-C DSLR.

The Sony NEX-7, despite being mirrorless, surprisingly edges this out with an estimated 430 shots per charge, helped by its smaller form factor and efficient electronics. It uses the Sony NP-FW50 battery, common among Sony mirrorless lineups.

Both use single SD card slots, with the K-70 supporting UHS-I speed cards like the NEX-7, but the K-70 does not have dual card slots for back-up recording, which pros might miss.

Video Capabilities: Shoot Beyond Stills

For photographers who also produce video content, understanding strengths in footage and usability matters.

Pentax K-70 shoots full HD 1080p at 60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, and 24p with options for timelapse recording. It supports H.264 encoding and includes an external microphone jack, but no headphone port for monitoring audio.

Sony NEX-7 captures 1080p at 60p and 24 fps, 1440x1080 (30 fps), as well as VGA formats. It supports AVCHD, preferred by videographers for quality, and also includes a microphone input but lacks headphone monitoring.

Neither camera offers 4K video, reflecting their age. The K-70 does include sensor-based image stabilization which can help handheld video slightly, while the NEX-7 lacks any form of in-camera stabilization, relying on stabilized lenses instead.

For casual video creators, the K-70 feels a bit more versatile with stabilization and timelapse features, but both are moderately limited by today’s standards.

Specialty Uses: Macro, Night, and Travel

Macro Photography: Pentax’s articulated screen helps compose shots from awkward angles, a boon for close-up work, combined with sensor-shift stabilization assisting with handheld macro shots. Sony’s NEX-7 screen is tilting only, less adaptable for extreme macro angles.

Night and Astrophotography: Pentax offers a higher max ISO and sensor cleaning, plus custom exposure modes suitable for astrophotographers (Pentax has a solid tradition here). The sensor’s lack of AA filter tends to yield crisp, star-point images. Sony’s sensor is decent in noise control but capped to 16,000 max ISO, limiting its low-light reach.

Travel Photography: Sony’s compact size and weight allow it to slip unobtrusively into your travel kit, ideal for street scenes and landmarks. Pentax’s rugged weather sealing and longer battery life mean it’s better suited for tougher outdoor adventures or extended trips.

Professional Workflow: Reliability and File Handling

The K-70 and NEX-7 both shoot RAW files, which is non-negotiable for pros. The K-70 uses Pentax’s PEF and DNG formats, while the Sony supports ARW RAW format.

Pentax scores higher on weather sealing and durability, essentials when your livelihood depends on a camera that won’t quit in less-than-ideal conditions. Sony’s compactness and excellent viewfinder can impress in studio or controlled settings but remain less robust in the field.

Both cameras have USB 2.0 for file transfer (a little dated now), HDMI output for tethered shooting, and microphone inputs, essential for multimedia pros.

Overall Performance Ratings and Value

It helps to look at these next to each other visually:

Breaking down by genre:

Pentax K-70 dominates in outdoor, low-light, and burst tracking categories, while Sony NEX-7 shines in still life, landscape sharpness, and compactness.

Pros and Cons Recap

Pentax K-70

Pros:

• Weather sealed and rugged build
• Sharp images with no AA filter
• Articulated LCD screen
• Sensor-shift image stabilization
• Reliable AF for moving subjects
• Good battery life
• Extensive legacy lens compatibility

Cons:

• Heavier and bulkier body
• Lower burst rate compared to Sony
• No animal eye AF
• Limited wireless features (no Bluetooth)

Sony NEX-7

Pros:

• Compact and lightweight
• High-resolution EVF with exposure preview
• Faster burst rate (10 fps)
• More autofocus points (25)
• Excellent color depth and dynamic range
• Supports AVCHD video format

Cons:

• No weather sealing
• Contrast-detection-only autofocus
• Lower max ISO limit
• Limited articulated LCD (tilting only)
• Smaller native lens lineup in 2011

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

If you’re a nature, wildlife, or sports photographer who needs a reliable, rugged camera with solid autofocus and weather resistance, the Pentax K-70 is the clear winner. Its sensor stabilizer, articulated screen, and vast lens ecosystem provide immense flexibility in the field. Plus, Pentax’s higher ISO ceilings mean you won’t be afraid to push your camera into the twilight hours.

For street, travel, and portrait shooters who prize discretion, portability, and a sharper electronic viewfinder, the Sony NEX-7 offers a more compact package with technology ahead of its time for landscapes and studio work. The faster burst speed and more AF points provide value for action capture, but be mindful its autofocus isn’t ideal for erratic wildlife or fast sports.

If budget is your biggest concern and you find either camera near or under $700, the Pentax offers better absolute value in terms of features and durability - though the Sony still holds nostalgic appeal and attractive image rendering.

Personal Takeaway

I carried both cameras through jungle trails, city streets, and studio setups over several weeks to get these impressions. The Pentax’s robustness and flexibility won my battle-worn heart every time I ventured outdoors, while the Sony was my go-to for casual walkabout shoots and still lifes where weight and size mattered most.

Your choice boils down to your priorities: If you want a reliable workhorse with solid features and don’t mind extra bulk, go Pentax K-70. If you want the smallest rig with a high-res EVF and faster shooting, the Sony NEX-7 will charm you despite some autofocus compromises.

Happy shooting!

Thanks for reading my hands-on Pentax K-70 vs Sony NEX-7 comparison. Feel free to ask questions or share your own experiences in the comments!