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Pentax P70 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28
Pentax Optio P70 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Pentax P70 vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Pentax P70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Revealed March 2009
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched July 2012
  • Replaced the Sony HX10V
  • Replacement is Sony HX30V
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Pentax P70 vs Sony HX20V Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Pentax P70 versus Sony HX20V, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the P70 (12MP) and HX20V (18MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The P70 was unveiled 4 years prior to the HX20V which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Pentax P70 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a concise overview of how the P70 grades against the HX20V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Sony HX20V

 P70 HX20V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Pentax P70

 HX20V P70 
LaunchedJuly 2012March 2009More modern by 41 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Pentax P70 and Sony HX20V

 P70 HX20V 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Pentax P70 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax P70 enjoys outside measurements of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) and the Sony HX20V has sizing of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Examine the Pentax P70 versus Sony HX20V in the new Camera and 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 are working with at that moment. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the P70 against the HX20V.

Pentax P70 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the P70 and HX20V is 95 and 90 respectively.

Pentax P70 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Pentax P70 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to see the gap in sensor sizes just by looking through specs. The image here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the P70 and HX20V.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Sony HX20V to provide you with more detail having an extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged P70 will be behind in sensor tech.

Pentax P70 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Pentax P70 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax P70 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax P70 Portrait photography details
Sony HX20V Portrait photography details
27
has manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
45
has manual focus
good MP (18MP)
offers face detect focusing
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax P70
Street photography with Sony HX20V
47
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than others (155g)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (254 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax P70 Sports photography factors
Sony HX20V Sports photography factors
17
low max shutter speed (1/1,000 seconds)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
49
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax P70 Travel photography info
Sony HX20V Travel photography info
56
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (155 grams)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than average (254 grams)
good MP (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
no Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax P70 Landscape photography factors
Sony HX20V Landscape photography factors
32
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
50
has manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax P70 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX20V as a Vlogging camera
25
pretty wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic support
heavier than others (155 grams)
34
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (254g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
no mic socket
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Pentax P70 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax P70 and Sony HX20V
 Pentax Optio P70Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio P70 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-03-02 2012-07-20
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-110mm (3.9x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance 10cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.60 m 7.10 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 155 gr (0.34 lbs) 254 gr (0.56 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 320 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $200 $397