Clicky

Pentax X70 vs Sony A57

Portability
71
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X70 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Pentax X70 vs Sony A57 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
  • Introduced March 2009
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Launched September 2012
  • Replaced the Sony A55
  • Renewed by Sony A58
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Pentax X70 vs Sony A57 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Pentax X70 vs Sony A57, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the X70 (12MP) and A57 (16MP) and the X70 (1/2.3") and A57 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The X70 was released 4 years before the A57 and that is a fairly large difference 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 A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief summation of how the X70 scores against the A57 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Sony A57

 X70 A57 

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Pentax X70

 A57 X70 
LaunchedSeptember 2012March 2009Fresher by 43 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax X70 and Sony A57

 X70 A57 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Pentax X70 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax X70 has physical measurements of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") and a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs) and the Sony A57 has dimensions of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") having a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax X70 vs Sony A57 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the X70 against the A57.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X70 and A57 is 71 and 64 respectively.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing purely by seeing specifications. The graphic here may offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the X70 and A57.

To sum up, each of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The X70 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A57 will produce greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The older X70 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X70 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X70 Portrait photography info
Sony A57 Portrait photography info
29
you can focus manually
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
74
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Pentax X70 Street photography highlights
Sony A57 Street photography highlights
46
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
75
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Pentax X70 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A57 as a Sports photography camera
50
incredible zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
78
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
has phase detect auto focus
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Pentax X70 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A57 as a Travel photography camera
52
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
long reach (624mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
67
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse function
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Pentax X70 Landscape photography information
Sony A57 Landscape photography information
36
you can focus manually
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
72
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of Time Lapse function
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax X70
Vlogging with Sony A57
24
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
77
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic port
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Pentax X70 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X70 and Sony A57
 Pentax X70Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X70 Sony SLT-A57
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-03-02 2012-09-13
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 16000
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 50 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
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) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing range 10cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed - 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 410 gr (0.90 lbs) 618 gr (1.36 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 75
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 785
Other
Battery life - 550 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $200 $1,000