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Pentax P70 vs Sony A380

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28
Pentax Optio P70 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53

Pentax P70 vs Sony A380 Key Specs

Pentax P70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Announced March 2009
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed August 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A350
  • Replacement is Sony A390
Photography Glossary

Pentax P70 vs Sony A380 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Pentax P70 and Sony A380, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the P70 (12MP) and the A380 (14MP) is fairly comparable but the P70 (1/2.3") and A380 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The P70 was launched 5 months before the A380 so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax P70 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the P70 scores against the A380 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Sony A380

 P70 A380 

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Pentax P70

 A380 P70 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Pentax P70 and Sony A380

 P70 A380 
RevealedMarch 2009August 2009Same age
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display measurements
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Pentax P70 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax P70 offers exterior measurements of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) while the Sony A380 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax P70 and Sony A380 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the P70 and the A380.

Pentax P70 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the P70 and A380 is 95 and 68 respectively.

Pentax P70 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Pentax P70 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes simply by going through specifications. The picture below might give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the P70 and A380.

To sum up, the 2 cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The P70 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Sony A380 will provide extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images a good deal more aggressively.

Pentax P70 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Pentax P70 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax P70 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax P70 Portrait photography features
Sony A380 Portrait photography features
27
manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
71
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax P70 as a Street photography camera
Sony A380 as a Street photography camera
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competition (155g)
76
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax P70 Sports photography details
Sony A380 Sports photography details
17
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
59
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
bad battery power (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax P70 Travel photography factors
Sony A380 Travel photography factors
56
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (155 grams)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
53
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (500 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax P70 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A380 Landscape photography highlights
32
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
61
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
bad battery power (500 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax P70 Vlogging features
Sony A380 Vlogging features
25
relatively wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone socket
more heavy than competition (155 grams)
9
can't shoot video
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Pentax P70 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax P70 and Sony A380
 Pentax Optio P70Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio P70 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2009-03-02 2009-08-24
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-110mm (3.9x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed - 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.60 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 155g (0.34 lb) 519g (1.14 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 67
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 614
Other
Battery life - 500 shots
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch price $200 $899