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Pentax X70 vs Sony TX20

Portability
71
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X70 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Pentax X70 vs Sony TX20 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 TX20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 133g - 96 x 56 x 18mm
  • Announced February 2012
Photography Glossary

Pentax X70 vs Sony TX20 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Pentax X70 vs Sony TX20, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the X70 (12MP) and TX20 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The X70 was introduced 4 years earlier than the TX20 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony TX20 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick summation of how the X70 grades versus the TX20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Sony TX20

 X70 TX20 

Reasons to pick Sony TX20 over the Pentax X70

 TX20 X70 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012March 2009Fresher by 36 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax X70 and Sony TX20

 X70 TX20 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Pentax X70 vs Sony TX20 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax X70 provides exterior measurements of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") with a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs) whilst the Sony TX20 has dimensions of 96mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Check out the Pentax X70 vs Sony TX20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view size comparison of the X70 compared to the TX20.

Pentax X70 vs Sony TX20 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the X70 and TX20 is 71 and 96 respectively.

Pentax X70 vs Sony TX20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony TX20 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizing merely by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic here should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the X70 and TX20.

Clearly, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Sony TX20 to produce greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The older X70 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax X70 vs Sony TX20 sensor size comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony TX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X70 vs Sony TX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X70 Portrait photography details
Sony TX20 Portrait photography details
28
manual focus
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
40
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax X70
Street photography with Sony TX20
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has focus via touch
environment sealing
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax X70
Sports photography with Sony TX20
50
great zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
50
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
great battery life (250 per charge)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X70 Travel photography features
Sony TX20 Travel photography features
52
flash built-in
reasonably wide (26mm)
very long reach (624mm)
no Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
72
great battery life (250 per charge)
environment sealing
has focus via touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X70 Landscape photography factors
Sony TX20 Landscape photography factors
35
manual focus
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
52
manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
environment sealing
great battery life (250 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax X70
Vlogging with Sony TX20
24
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic jack
35
quite wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone port
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Pentax X70 vs Sony TX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X70 and Sony TX20
 Pentax X70Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X70 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Introduced 2009-03-02 2012-02-28
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 50 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-624mm (24.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.5-4.6
Macro focusing range 10cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 3.70 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 410 grams (0.90 lb) 133 grams (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") 96 x 56 x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 250 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $200 $330