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Pentax X70 vs Sony A100

Portability
71
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X70 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 front
Portability
64
Imaging
48
Features
38
Overall
44

Pentax X70 vs Sony A100 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
Sony A100
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 638g - 133 x 95 x 71mm
  • Launched July 2006
  • Superseded the Konica Minolta 5D
  • Newer Model is Sony A550
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Pentax X70 vs Sony A100 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Pentax X70 vs Sony A100, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the X70 (12MP) and the A100 (10MP) is very comparable but the X70 (1/2.3") and A100 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The X70 was announced 2 years after the A100 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A100 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the X70 grades vs the A100 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Sony A100

 X70 A100 
LaunchedMarch 2009July 2006More modern by 32 months
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony A100 over the Pentax X70

 A100 X70 

Common features in the Pentax X70 and Sony A100

 X70 A100 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Pentax X70 vs Sony A100 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax X70 enjoys outside 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) while the Sony A100 has specifications of 133mm x 95mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") and a weight of 638 grams (1.41 lbs).

Check the Pentax X70 vs Sony A100 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the X70 against the A100.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A100 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the X70 and A100 is 71 and 64 respectively.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A100 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony A100 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizes just by checking out a spec sheet. The pic here might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the X70 and A100.

Clearly, both of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The X70 using its smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Pentax X70 will show more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images more aggressively. The more modern X70 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A100 sensor size comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony A100 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X70 vs Sony A100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X70 Portrait photography advice
Sony A100 Portrait photography advice
28
you can focus manually
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
52
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no liveview
low MP (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax X70 Street photography factors
Sony A100 Street photography factors
46
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
64
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X70 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A100 as a Sports photography camera
50
great zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
low MP (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X70 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A100 as a Travel photography camera
52
built-in flash
decently wide (26mm)
great zoom (624mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
45
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X70 Landscape photography advice
Sony A100 Landscape photography advice
35
you can focus manually
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
53
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no liveview
low MP (10 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X70 Vlogging features
Sony A100 Vlogging features
24
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic socket
9
lack of video recording
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Pentax X70 vs Sony A100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X70 and Sony A100
 Pentax X70Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X70 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-03-02 2006-07-31
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
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 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Minimum 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 detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 26-624mm (24.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing range 10cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m -
Flash settings - Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 410 grams (0.90 lb) 638 grams (1.41 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") 133 x 95 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 61
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 476
Other
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-FM55H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $200 $1,000