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Pentax X70 vs Sony A33

Portability
71
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X70 front
 
Sony SLT-A33 front
Portability
67
Imaging
54
Features
80
Overall
64

Pentax X70 vs Sony A33 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
  • Launched March 2009
Sony A33
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Revealed August 2010
  • New Model is Sony A35
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Pentax X70 vs Sony A33 Overview

Following is a comprehensive assessment of the Pentax X70 and Sony A33, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the X70 (12MP) and the A33 (14MP) is fairly close but the X70 (1/2.3") and A33 (APS-C) posses different sensor dimensions.

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The X70 was announced 18 months prior to the A33 making them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A33 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple overview of how the X70 matches up against the A33 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Sony A33

 X70 A33 

Reasons to pick Sony A33 over the Pentax X70

 A33 X70 
RevealedAugust 2010March 2009More modern by 18 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax X70 and Sony A33

 X70 A33 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Pentax X70 vs Sony A33 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax X70 has got external measurements of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") with a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs) while the Sony A33 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax X70 and Sony A33 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the X70 vs the A33.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A33 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the X70 and A33 is 71 and 67 respectively.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A33 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony A33 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizes purely by viewing specs. The image here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the X70 and A33.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The X70 using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Sony A33 will result in extra detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged X70 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A33 sensor size comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony A33 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X70 vs Sony A33 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X70 Portrait photography features
Sony A33 Portrait photography features
28
focusing manually
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
72
has manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax X70 as a Street photography camera
Sony A33 as a Street photography camera
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
76
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X70 Sports photography advice
Sony A33 Sports photography advice
50
incredible zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
terrible battery (340 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax X70
Travel photography with Sony A33
52
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
great reach (624mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
61
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery (340 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X70 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A33 Landscape photography highlights
35
focusing manually
fairly wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
67
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
terrible battery (340 shots)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X70 Vlogging advice
Sony A33 Vlogging advice
24
fairly wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic support
77
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone jack
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Pentax X70 vs Sony A33 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X70 and Sony A33
 Pentax X70Sony SLT-A33
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X70 Sony SLT-A33
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-03-02 2010-08-24
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 50 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 26-624mm (24.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 410g (0.90 lb) 500g (1.10 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 70
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 591
Other
Battery life - 340 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $200 $230