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Pentax X70 vs Sony A700

Portability
71
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X70 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 front
Portability
58
Imaging
51
Features
58
Overall
53

Pentax X70 vs Sony A700 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 A700
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 768g - 142 x 105 x 80mm
  • Revealed December 2007
  • Old Model is Konica Minolta 7D
  • New Model is Sony A77
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Pentax X70 vs Sony A700 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Pentax X70 and Sony A700, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the X70 (12MP) and the A700 (12MP) is fairly well matched but the X70 (1/2.3") and A700 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The X70 was unveiled 15 months after the A700 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A700 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a simple overview of how the X70 scores vs the A700 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Sony A700

 X70 A700 
RevealedMarch 2009December 2007More modern by 15 months

Reasons to pick Sony A700 over the Pentax X70

 A700 X70 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X70 and Sony A700

 X70 A700 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Pentax X70 vs Sony A700 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Pentax X70 provides outside dimensions of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs) and the Sony A700 has specifications of 142mm x 105mm x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") and a weight of 768 grams (1.69 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax X70 and Sony A700 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the X70 compared to the A700.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A700 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the X70 and A700 is 71 and 58 respectively.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A700 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony A700 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to see the gap between sensor sizes simply by reading through specifications. The image below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the X70 and A700.

To sum up, the two cameras have got the exact same megapixel count but not the same sensor sizes. The X70 contains the tinier sensor which should make obtaining shallow DOF tougher. The more modern X70 is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A700 sensor size comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony A700 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X70 vs Sony A700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X70 Portrait photography information
Sony A700 Portrait photography information
28
manual focus
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
54
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax X70 Street photography information
Sony A700 Street photography information
46
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
64
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X70 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A700 as a Sports photography camera
50
excellent zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
56
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X70 Travel photography factors
Sony A700 Travel photography factors
52
built-in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
very long reach (624mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
49
weather proof
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax X70
Landscape photography with Sony A700
35
manual focus
relatively wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
62
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
does not have liveview
low megapixels (12MP)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X70 Vlogging highlights
Sony A700 Vlogging highlights
24
relatively wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
9
can't shoot video
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Pentax X70 vs Sony A700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X70 and Sony A700
 Pentax X70Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X70 Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Released 2009-03-02 2007-12-19
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4272 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 50 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 26-624mm (24.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.6x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 12.00 m
Flash modes - Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, rear curtain, Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/250 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 data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 410 gr (0.90 lbs) 768 gr (1.69 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") 142 x 105 x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 581
Other
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-FM500H
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), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 Two
Launch pricing $200 $1,000