Pentax K-70 vs Sony A68: A Deep Dive Into These APS-C Contenders

When it comes to entry-level DSLR cameras, especially those sportin’ APS-C sensors around the $600 price point, the Pentax K-70 and the Sony A68 often land in the same buyer's crosshairs. Both promising 24MP resolution, similar sensor sizes, and respectable autofocus systems, these two offer appealing packages but with markedly different philosophies under the hood.

Having spent weeks shooting extensively outdoors, indoors, and in all manner of lighting situations with both cameras, I want to walk you through a comprehensive, no-nonsense comparison. This is a battle of practical performance, technical chops, ergonomics, and - let’s face it - the intangibles that make one camera a better fit depending on what kind of shooter you are.

First Impressions: Design, Size, and Build

Straight outta the box, the physical characteristics set off the first sparks of preference.

The Pentax K-70 sports a relatively compact, rugged body that's a smidge smaller than the Sony A68 (126x93x74mm vs 143x104x81mm), yet it feels solidly built with noticeable weather sealing - an unusual trait in entry-level DSLRs. Pentax insists the K-70 is designed for adventurers who want to keep shooting come rain or dust storms, and you can feel the difference in materials and sealing around buttons and seams.

The Sony A68, meanwhile, is a bit chunkier but a hair lighter at 610g versus the K-70’s 688g. It’s shaped with a deep handgrip that feels like clubs for thumbs - a boon for long shoots or when lugging heavy glass. Construction is decent but no weather sealing here. Honestly, if you shoot mainly indoors or fair-weather landscapes, this won’t be a dealbreaker.

Controls-wise, the K-70 goes classic DSLR: direct access dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation, which tactile souls will appreciate. Sony’s A68, while straightforward, leans on menu diving a bit more. On a sunny mountain trail with gloves, Pentax’s knurled dials and direct buttons simply put me ahead.

In summary:

• K-70: Compact, rugged, weather-sealed, classic DSLR controls
• A68: Slightly bigger, lighter, deep grip, fewer dedicated controls

Sensor Tech and Image Quality Showdown

Both cameras pack an APS-C sized CMOS sensor at 24MP resolution, but there’s more subtlety beneath the specs. Pentax uses its PRIME MII processor paired with a notable lack of an anti-aliasing (AA) filter to coax out maximum sharpness. The Sony A68, running the well-regarded Bionz X processor, keeps the AA filter for smoother images, reducing moiré but at some sharpness cost.

In real-world shooting, what does that mean? The K-70’s images have razor-sharp detail, making it ideal for landscapes and macro shots where texture and crisp edges impress. Moiré is minimal, a testament to the sensor’s clever design and Pentax’s processing.

The Sony, meanwhile, trades a little fine detail for cleaner, smoother images, especially with foliage or textured fabrics - a win for portrait shooters who want flattering skin tones without emphasizing flaws. Its raw files offer robust dynamic range, bolstered by a DxO Mark tested dynamic range score of 13.5 EV, superior to many contemporaries (whereas Pentax isn’t officially tested). Sony’s higher native ISO ceiling tops at 25600, which technically should give it an edge in low light, though Pentax impressively pushes ISO 102400 in extended modes - cautiously, as noise grows substantially.

In a nutshell:

• Pentax K-70 shines in sharpness, detail, and dynamic range in daylight and mid-ISO.
• Sony A68 delivers clean, smooth images with excellent color depth and better tested dynamic range.
• Both produce lovely 24MP images but target slightly different user priorities.

The Viewfinder and LCD Interface: Optical vs Electronic

One big philosophical divide is the viewfinder.

The Pentax K-70 comes with a bright, clear pentaprism optical viewfinder (OVF), covering 100% frame and 0.63x magnification. For traditionalists, OVFs are gold: zero lag, natural viewing, and legibility in any light condition.

Sony A68 bucks this trend with a 1.44M-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) that also boasts 100% coverage, but offers an immersive experience with real-time exposure preview, histograms, and focus peaking overlays. The EVF magnification is slightly smaller at 0.57x, which took some getting used to.

When shooting fast wildlife or sports, the K-70’s OVF felt more natural and less disorienting. But in tricky lighting or low light, Sony’s EVF was invaluable for previewing photos and composing with confidence - no guesswork. The tilt-enabled LCDs are another story:

Pentax’s fully articulated, 3-inch, 921k-dot screen dominates with flexibility and clarity, perfect for macro or video vlogging angles. Sony’s 2.7-inch tilting 461k LCD is serviceable but feels dated, less sharp, and limited in articulation. Pentax pulls ahead hands down for UI and live view friendliness.

Bottom line on displays:

• Pentax K-70: OVF + fully articulated high-res LCD = classic photography meets modern usability.
• Sony A68: EVF + basic tilting LCD = cutting-edge preview but less comfortable for varied angles.

Autofocus and Speed: Who Gets the Shot?

For portraits, wildlife, and sports, autofocus (AF) is key.

Sony packs a serious focus punch here with 79 phase-detection AF points, 15 of which are cross-type, spread widely across the frame. That wide coverage plus high-density AF points translate to excellent subject tracking and accuracy. The A68’s 8 fps burst rate with continuous AF is exceptional in this price segment, making it a reliable trapper of fast action.

Pentax, with a more modest 11 AF points (9 cross-type), aims for precision over quantity. It offers face detection and live view contrast AF for detailed work but struggles a bit with fast moving subjects. Its 6 fps burst is competitive but slower than Sony.

In practical testing for sports and wildlife, Sony caught sharply moving birds and runners more consistently - albeit with some occasional hunting in low light. Pentax was a bit more hit-and-miss beyond the center focus points but excelled in portrait AF accuracy indoors, especially with eye detection (when live view is enabled).

Pros and cons on AF:

• Sony A68: Superior AF coverage, faster frame rate, great for action photography.
• Pentax K-70: Smaller AF system but very accurate for static subjects and portraits.

How Do They Shoot Across Photography Genres?

I tested both cameras in typical photography genres, with results nuanced enough to matter for your specific needs.

Portraits

Pentax’s sharp sensor and natural skin tone reproduction yielded stunning portraits with creamy bokeh, especially when mated to Pentax’s excellent lens lineup. The K-70’s face detection AF in live view improved eye accuracy. Sony’s smoother rendering with AA filter softened skin and worked well indoors under incandescent lighting, but the AF was less consistent without face tracking turned on.

Landscapes

Pentax dominates with its slightly higher resolution potential (thanks to no AA filter) and stellar weather sealing - great for hiking in wet conditions. Dynamic range, while not lab-tested for K-70, seemed fully competitive, capturing shadow and highlight details faithfully. Sony’s dynamic range is impressive, making it a great all-round landscape choice, but lack of sealing limits in-field durability.

Wildlife and Sports

Sony’s extensive AF system and faster 8 fps burst put it ahead for capturing quick wildlife or sports shots. Pentax struggles at this pace but can still shoot bursts at a solid rate when subjects are slower.

Street Photography

Sony’s smaller EVF and faster operation help in street scenarios, but Pentax’s silent shooting mode (using mechanical shutter and sensor stabilization) made it surprisingly discreet.

Macro Photography

Pentax’s articulated screen and sharp sensor combo give it an edge in macro, plus the plethora of Pentax macro lenses available.

Night and Astro

Pentax’s ISO 102400 expansion and sensor-based stabilization shine here. Sony’s limited ISO ceiling hampers ultra-high sensitivity, though its dynamic range helps star detail. Pentax is the night owl’s friend.

Video

Both max out at 1080p. Sony offers AVCHD and XAVC S codecs, potentially providing better compression efficiency; Pentax sticks to MPEG-4 and H.264. Both lack 4K. Pentax’s articulated screen and better mic port usability cater more to casual video users.

Travel and General Purpose

Pentax’s weather sealing and compact body win in rugged travel scenarios, whereas Sony’s lighter weight and superior AF are great for diverse shooting zones.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Ergonomics

Pentax’s famous for ruggedness here - the K-70 features weather sealing against dust and moisture, a feature way out of place at this price point and a huge plus for adventurous shooters.

Sony’s A68, while solid, offers no weather sealing and slightly bulkier ergonomics. Pentax’s fully articulated screen complements this ruggedness well, allowing for versatile shooting angles in tough environments.

Battery Life and Storage

Another practical category: Pentax K-70 manages about 410 shots per charge, decent but not spectacular. Sony’s NP-FM500H battery comfortably pushes 510 shots, noticeably better for long outdoor shoots without charging anxiety.

Both use single SD card slots, but Sony supports both SD and Memory Stick Pro Duo, a minor plus for legacy users.

Connectivity and Features

Pentax offers built-in Wi-Fi but no Bluetooth or NFC. Sony relies on Eye-Fi card integration for wireless. Neither has headphone jacks - a bummer if you plan serious video.

USB 2.0 and HDMI ports are standard on both. Pentax includes GPS as an optional accessory; Sony does not.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Pentax’s KAF2 mount boasts a solid 151 compatible lenses, including excellent affordable primes and unique specialty glass like weather-resistant lenses designed for the K-70’s sealing.

Sony uses the Alpha mount, with 143 lenses mostly sourced from Minolta legacy and third-party manufacturers. Sony’s strength lies in affordable telephoto primes and its growing E-mount mirrorless ecosystem (with adapters), though the A68 is strictly DSLR.

Price-to-Performance: What Does Your Money Buy?

Current prices (as of mid-2024) place both cameras at roughly $580–$650 street, making them superb budget buys.

• The Pentax K-70’s extra $70–$80 premium buys you weather sealing, better articulation, and slightly better image clarity.
• The Sony A68’s lower price nets faster shooting, superior autofocus, and operational speed.

If you’re a create-in-any-environment type, that sealing might tip the scales for Pentax. If fast action and AF coverage are your game, Sony is an unbeatable playground.

Pentax K 70 front Pentax K 70 screen back Sony A68 front Sony A68 screen back

Here are some side-by-side edited images from both cameras to showcase their color rendering, sharpness, and dynamic range. Notice the Pentax's punchier detail in the foliage and finer textures, while Sony's smoother gradations handle human skin delicately.

Final Scorecard: Overall and Genre-Specific Breakdown

Summarizing my extensive hands-on testing into digestible scores, we see Pentax leading in build, image quality (especially landscape/macro), and versatility. Sony shines brightest in autofocus speed, burst rate, and sports/wildlife shooting.

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Pentax K-70 if:

• You want a rugged, weather-sealed body for outdoor and travel adventures.
• Sharp landscapes, macro, and high detail matters most.
• You value a fully articulated, high-res LCD and an optical viewfinder.
• You shoot portraits and want excellent bokeh and skin tones.
• You appreciate classic DSLR tactile controls over menu navigation.
• Your budget allows a bit of a premium for image quality and durability.

Opt for the Sony A68 if:

• Action photography (sports or wildlife) is your priority; you need fast AF with lots of points.
• Burst shooting speed and subject tracking are mission-critical.
• You prefer an electronic viewfinder with exposure preview and overlays.
• You want longer battery life and a lighter grip.
• Price is tighter and you want the most bang for each buck in speed and AF.
• Your shooting is mostly indoors or fair-weather outdoors.

The Bottom Line From a Seasoned Reviewer

While both the Pentax K-70 and Sony A68 are excellent first DSLRs offering full APS-C sensor capabilities, your choice hinges on what you shoot most and how you shoot.

Personally, I gravitated towards the Pentax K-70 for its ruggedness, recognizable image signature without AA filter, and versatile interface. For landscapes, portraiture, and travel photography, it’s a champion. The Sony A68, however, let me nail fast sports shots and wildlife sequence bursts with greater consistency thanks to its advanced AF and higher frame rate, although the viewfinder was sometimes a pinch smaller for my taste.

Budget-conscious shooters will appreciate Sony’s slightly lower cost and swifter AF system, while Pentax delivers long-term value with tough build and flexible handling.

Whichever way you lean, neither camera deceives in performance or fun factor. Both continue to deliver solid images and reliable performance for DSLR newcomers and hobbyists alike.

Hope this comparison helps you wrestle down your decision and find the best partner for your photographic adventures! If budget allows, trying them in hand (or borrowing one on a trip) will seal the deal.

Happy shooting!