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Pentax X70 vs Sony A580

Portability
71
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X70 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
82
Overall
67

Pentax X70 vs Sony A580 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
  • Released March 2009
Sony A580
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released May 2011
  • Previous Model is Sony A100
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Pentax X70 vs Sony A580 Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Pentax X70 and Sony A580, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the X70 (12MP) and A580 (16MP) and the X70 (1/2.3") and A580 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor size.

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The X70 was announced 3 years before the A580 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A580 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the X70 scores versus the A580 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Sony A580

 X70 A580 

Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Pentax X70

 A580 X70 
ReleasedMay 2011March 2009Newer by 27 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X70 and Sony A580

 X70 A580 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Pentax X70 vs Sony A580 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax X70 features physical 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 Sony A580 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Look at the Pentax X70 and Sony A580 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the X70 compared to the A580.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A580 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X70 and A580 is 71 and 64 respectively.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A580 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony A580 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to picture the difference in sensor dimensions merely by viewing specifications. The image below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the X70 and A580.

Plainly, both of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The X70 using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Sony A580 will provide you with more detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The more aged X70 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A580 sensor size comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony A580 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X70 vs Sony A580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X70 Portrait photography factors
Sony A580 Portrait photography factors
29
focusing manually
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
74
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X70 Street photography factors
Sony A580 Street photography factors
46
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
75
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax X70
Sports photography with Sony A580
50
excellent zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
78
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (1,050 shots)
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X70 Travel photography advice
Sony A580 Travel photography advice
52
has built in flash
rather wide (26mm)
very long reach (624mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
61
better than average battery power (1,050 shots)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X70 Landscape photography advice
Sony A580 Landscape photography advice
36
focusing manually
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
74
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (1,050 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax X70
Vlogging with Sony A580
24
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic support
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Pentax X70 vs Sony A580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X70 and Sony A580
 Pentax X70Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X70 Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2009-03-02 2011-05-26
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 50 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 26-624mm (24.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus range 10cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed - 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m 12.00 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160s
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 lb) 599g (1.32 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.3
DXO Low light score not tested 1121
Other
Battery life - 1050 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One 2
Launch cost $200 $848