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Pentax X70 vs Sony A7S

Portability
71
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X70 front
 
Sony Alpha A7S front
Portability
77
Imaging
60
Features
73
Overall
65

Pentax X70 vs Sony A7S 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 A7S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 409600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 489g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Revealed April 2014
  • Newer Model is Sony A7S II
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Pentax X70 vs Sony A7S Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Pentax X70 and Sony A7S, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the X70 (12MP) and the A7S (12MP) is fairly well matched but the X70 (1/2.3") and A7S (Full frame) offer different sensor sizes.

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The X70 was announced 6 years prior to the A7S which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A7S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the X70 grades vs the A7S in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Sony A7S

 X70 A7S 

Reasons to pick Sony A7S over the Pentax X70

 A7S X70 
RevealedApril 2014March 2009More modern by 62 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1230k230kCrisper display (+1000k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X70 and Sony A7S

 X70 A7S 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Pentax X70 vs Sony A7S Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax X70 provides outer dimensions 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 Sony A7S has dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 489 grams (1.08 lbs).

See the Pentax X70 and Sony A7S in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the X70 versus the A7S.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A7S size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the X70 and A7S is 71 and 77 respectively.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A7S top view buttons comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony A7S Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizes just by reading through a spec sheet. The picture below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the X70 and A7S.

As you can see, each of the cameras feature the identical MP but different sensor sizes. The X70 contains the tinier sensor which will make achieving bokeh tougher. The more aged X70 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A7S sensor size comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony A7S Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X70 vs Sony A7S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X70 Portrait photography information
Sony A7S Portrait photography information
28
has manual focus
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
68
has manual focus
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax X70 Street photography highlights
Sony A7S Street photography highlights
46
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
76
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
lighter than competition in class (489g)
good high ISO (409,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X70 Sports photography advice
Sony A7S Sports photography advice
50
long zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
52
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
not so great battery life (360 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax X70
Travel photography with Sony A7S
52
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
very long zoom (624mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
58
lighter than competition in class (489 grams)
weather sealing
not so great battery life (360 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X70 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A7S as a Landscape photography camera
35
has manual focus
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
66
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor size is large (Full frame)
good high ISO (409,600)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
not so great battery life (360 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X70 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7S as a Vlogging camera
24
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
34
offers face detect autofocus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has mic jack
lighter than competition in class (489 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
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Pentax X70 vs Sony A7S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X70 and Sony A7S
 Pentax X70Sony Alpha A7S
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X70 Sony Alpha A7S
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-03-02 2014-04-06
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4240 x 2832
Max native ISO 6400 409600
Min native ISO 50 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 26-624mm (24.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus range 10cm -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 1,230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed - 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.10 m no built-in flash
Flash options - no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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, XAVC S 1080 60p(50Mbps), 30p (50Mbps), 24p (50Mbps). 720 120p (50Mbps). AVCHD 60p (28Mbps), 60i (24Mbps/17Mbps), 24p (24Mbps/17Mbps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 410 gr (0.90 lbs) 489 gr (1.08 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 87
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.2
DXO Low light score not tested 3702
Other
Battery life - 360 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at release $200 $1,998