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Pentax X70 vs Samsung SL30

Portability
71
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X70 front
 
Samsung SL30 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
14
Overall
25

Pentax X70 vs Samsung SL30 Key Specs

Pentax X70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 50 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 410g - 110 x 83 x 90mm
  • Launched March 2009
Samsung SL30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 140g - 94 x 61 x 23mm
  • Released February 2009
  • Also Known as ES15
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Pentax X70 vs Samsung SL30 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Pentax X70 and Samsung SL30, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Samsung. The resolution of the X70 (12MP) and the SL30 (10MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The X70 was announced within a month of the SL30 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung SL30 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a in depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the X70 matches up vs the SL30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Samsung SL30

 X70 SL30 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen size2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Samsung SL30 over the Pentax X70

 SL30 X70 

Common features in the Pentax X70 and Samsung SL30

 X70 SL30 
ReleasedMarch 2009February 2009Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Pentax X70 vs Samsung SL30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax X70 enjoys external measurements of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") having a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs) while the Samsung SL30 has dimensions of 94mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 140 grams (0.31 lbs).

Examine the Pentax X70 and Samsung SL30 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the X70 compared to the SL30.

Pentax X70 vs Samsung SL30 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the X70 and SL30 is 71 and 95 respectively.

Pentax X70 vs Samsung SL30 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X70 vs Samsung SL30 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to see the difference in sensor measurements only by seeing specifications. The graphic below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the X70 and SL30.

To sum up, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Pentax X70 to provide extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively.

Pentax X70 vs Samsung SL30 sensor size comparison

Pentax X70 vs Samsung SL30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X70 vs Samsung SL30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X70 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung SL30 as a Portrait photography camera
28
you can focus manually
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
25
comes with face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax X70
Street photography with Samsung SL30
46
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X70 Sports photography highlights
Samsung SL30 Sports photography highlights
50
amazing zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect auto focus
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
16
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X70 Travel photography info
Samsung SL30 Travel photography info
52
has built in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
very long reach (624mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X70 Landscape photography information
Samsung SL30 Landscape photography information
35
you can focus manually
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
22
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5")
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X70 Vlogging details
Samsung SL30 Vlogging details
24
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic socket
25
comes with face detection focusing
wide angle not great (38mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
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Pentax X70 vs Samsung SL30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X70 and Samsung SL30
 Pentax X70Samsung SL30
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax X70 Samsung SL30
Also referred to as - ES15
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-03-02 2009-02-17
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 50 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-624mm (24.0x) 38-114mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-5.7
Macro focus range 10cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.10 m 4.60 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Auto & Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Fill-in Flash, Flash Off, Red-Eye Fix
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 800 x 592 (20 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 410g (0.90 lbs) 140g (0.31 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") 94 x 61 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 model D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $200 $93