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Pentax X70 vs Sony W230

Portability
71
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X70 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Pentax X70 vs Sony W230 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
  • Revealed March 2009
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Introduced February 2009
Photography Glossary

Pentax X70 vs Sony W230 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Pentax X70 and Sony W230, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the X70 (12MP) and the W230 (12MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The X70 was introduced within a month of the W230 so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the X70 scores against the W230 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Sony W230

 X70 W230 

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Pentax X70

 W230 X70 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax X70 and Sony W230

 X70 W230 
IntroducedMarch 2009February 2009Similar age
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Pentax X70 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax X70 offers physical measurements of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") with a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs) and the Sony W230 has proportions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax X70 and Sony W230 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the X70 compared to the W230.

Pentax X70 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the X70 and W230 is 71 and 95 respectively.

Pentax X70 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to see the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reading through specifications. The image here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the X70 and W230.

To sum up, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution so you can expect similar quality of images but you will need to take the launch date of the products into consideration.

Pentax X70 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X70 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax X70
Portrait photography with Sony W230
28
you can focus manually
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
27
manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax X70
Street photography with Sony W230
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax X70
Sports photography with Sony W230
50
excellent zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax X70
Travel photography with Sony W230
52
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
great reach (624mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X70 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W230 as a Landscape photography camera
35
you can focus manually
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
36
manual focus
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X70 Vlogging features
Sony W230 Vlogging features
24
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
no external microphone jack
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Pentax X70 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X70 and Sony W230
 Pentax X70Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X70 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-03-02 2009-02-17
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 50 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-624mm (24.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus distance 10cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 1 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.10 m 3.90 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 410 grams (0.90 lb) 156 grams (0.34 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $200 $180