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Pentax X70 vs Sony a1

Portability
71
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X70 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
82
Features
93
Overall
86

Pentax X70 vs Sony a1 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
  • Announced March 2009
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Expand to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Announced January 2021
Photography Glossary

Pentax X70 vs Sony a1 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Pentax X70 and Sony a1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the X70 (12MP) and a1 (50MP) and the X70 (1/2.3") and a1 (Full frame) provide different sensor measurements.

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The X70 was brought out 13 years prior to the a1 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the X70 grades versus the a1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Sony a1

 X70 a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Pentax X70

 a1 X70 
AnnouncedJanuary 2021March 2009Fresher by 144 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1440k230kSharper screen (+1210k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax X70 and Sony a1

 X70 a1 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Pentax X70 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax X70 provides outside measurements 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 a1 has proportions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax X70 and Sony a1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the X70 versus the a1.

Pentax X70 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the X70 and a1 is 71 and 61 respectively.

Pentax X70 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing just by reviewing specs. The photograph below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the X70 and a1.

All in all, the two cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The X70 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony a1 will deliver more detail having its extra 38 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The older X70 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Pentax X70 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X70 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X70 Portrait photography highlights
Sony a1 Portrait photography highlights
29
you can focus manually
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
89
manual focus
high flash sync (1/400s)
megapixel count fantastic (50 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax X70 Street photography information
Sony a1 Street photography information
46
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
79
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
has focus by touch
environment proofing
good high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X70 as a Sports photography camera
Sony a1 as a Sports photography camera
50
amazing zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
91
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
high max fps (30.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count fantastic (50MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery power (530 shots)
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X70 Travel photography information
Sony a1 Travel photography information
52
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
great zoom (624mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
74
better than average battery power (530 shots)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
has focus by touch
megapixel count fantastic (50MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X70 Landscape photography advice
Sony a1 Landscape photography advice
36
you can focus manually
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
88
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count fantastic (50 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
good high ISO (32,000)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
better than average battery power (530 shots)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax X70
Vlogging with Sony a1
24
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
37
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (7680 x 4320 pxls)
has external microphone jack
display is not selfie friendly
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Pentax X70 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X70 and Sony a1
 Pentax X70Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X70 Sony Alpha a1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2009-03-02 2021-01-26
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 50 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 8640 x 5760
Max native ISO 6400 32000
Max boosted ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 50 100
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 759
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 26-624mm (24.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Number of lenses - 133
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.9x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 30.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m no built-in flash
Flash options - Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/400 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Max video resolution 1280x720 7680x4320
Video format Motion JPEG XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 410 grams (0.90 lb) 737 grams (1.62 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 530 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots 1 Dual
Cost at launch $200 $6,498