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Pentax X70 vs Sony A7R III

Portability
71
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X70 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R III front
Portability
63
Imaging
78
Features
93
Overall
84

Pentax X70 vs Sony A7R III Key Specs

Pentax X70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 50 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 410g - 110 x 83 x 90mm
  • Introduced March 2009
Sony A7R III
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Expand to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 657g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Launched October 2017
  • Earlier Model is Sony A7R II
  • Newer Model is Sony A7R IV
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Pentax X70 vs Sony A7R III Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Pentax X70 versus Sony A7R III, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the X70 (12MP) and A7R III (42MP) and the X70 (1/2.3") and A7R III (Full frame) come with different sensor sizes.

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The X70 was unveiled 9 years earlier than the A7R III and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A7R III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a full comparison, below is a simple overview of how the X70 grades against the A7R III in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Sony A7R III

 X70 A7R III 

Reasons to pick Sony A7R III over the Pentax X70

 A7R III X70 
LaunchedOctober 2017March 2009More recent by 105 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1440k230kCrisper screen (+1210k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax X70 and Sony A7R III

 X70 A7R III 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Pentax X70 vs Sony A7R III Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax X70 has exterior dimensions of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") along with a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs) and the Sony A7R III has measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 657 grams (1.45 lbs).

Check the Pentax X70 versus Sony A7R III in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the X70 against the A7R III.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A7R III size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X70 and A7R III is 71 and 63 respectively.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A7R III top view buttons comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony A7R III Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to picture the gap between sensor measurements purely by looking at specifications. The visual below will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the X70 and A7R III.

Plainly, each of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The X70 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh harder and the Sony A7R III will give more detail having an extra 30MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The older X70 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A7R III sensor size comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony A7R III Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X70 vs Sony A7R III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X70 Portrait photography information
Sony A7R III Portrait photography information
28
you can focus manually
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
86
you can focus manually
fantastic MP (42MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax X70
Street photography with Sony A7R III
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
79
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
provides touch to focus
environment sealing
great ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X70 Sports photography features
Sony A7R III Sports photography features
50
amazing zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
89
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (42MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
better than average battery (650 CIPA)
comes with phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X70 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A7R III as a Travel photography camera
52
built-in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
long reach (624mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
74
better than average battery (650 CIPA)
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
provides touch to focus
fantastic MP (42MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X70 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A7R III Landscape photography highlights
35
you can focus manually
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
87
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (42MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
great ISO range (32,000)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
better than average battery (650 CIPA)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X70 Vlogging information
Sony A7R III Vlogging information
24
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
37
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external mic support
display is not selfie friendly
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Pentax X70 vs Sony A7R III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X70 and Sony A7R III
 Pentax X70Sony Alpha A7R III
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X70 Sony Alpha A7R III
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-03-02 2017-10-25
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 42 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 7952 x 5304
Highest native ISO 6400 32000
Highest boosted ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 50 100
RAW images
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 425
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 26-624mm (24.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing range 10cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m no built-in flash
Flash modes - Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 410 gr (0.90 lb) 657 gr (1.45 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 100
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 26.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 3523
Other
Battery life - 650 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one)
Card slots One Two
Retail pricing $200 $2,800