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Pentax X70 vs Sony A65

Portability
71
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X70 front
 
Sony SLT-A65 front
Portability
64
Imaging
63
Features
85
Overall
71

Pentax X70 vs Sony A65 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 A65
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 622g - 132 x 97 x 81mm
  • Announced November 2011
  • Successor is Sony A68
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Pentax X70 vs Sony A65 Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Pentax X70 and Sony A65, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the X70 (12MP) and A65 (24MP) and the X70 (1/2.3") and A65 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.

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The X70 was revealed 3 years prior to the A65 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A65 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the X70 matches up against the A65 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Sony A65

 X70 A65 

Reasons to pick Sony A65 over the Pentax X70

 A65 X70 
AnnouncedNovember 2011March 2009More recent by 32 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax X70 and Sony A65

 X70 A65 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Pentax X70 vs Sony A65 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax X70 comes with physical dimensions 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 A65 has specifications of 132mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 622 grams (1.37 lbs).

Look at the Pentax X70 and Sony A65 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the X70 versus the A65.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A65 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X70 and A65 is 71 and 64 respectively.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A65 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony A65 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to imagine the gap between sensor measurements only by looking at specifications. The visual below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the X70 and A65.

To sum up, the two cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The X70 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Sony A65 will resolve more detail because of its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The older X70 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax X70 vs Sony A65 sensor size comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony A65 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X70 vs Sony A65 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X70 Portrait photography factors
Sony A65 Portrait photography factors
28
has manual focus
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
77
you can focus manually
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax X70
Street photography with Sony A65
46
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
77
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X70 Sports photography highlights
Sony A65 Sports photography highlights
50
excellent zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking focus
sensor has phase detect AF
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
81
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
supports phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X70 Travel photography details
Sony A65 Travel photography details
52
has built in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
very long reach (624mm)
does not have Timelapse function
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
68
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
missing Time Lapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X70 Landscape photography advice
Sony A65 Landscape photography advice
35
has manual focus
relatively wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
75
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X70 Vlogging highlights
Sony A65 Vlogging highlights
24
relatively wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone port
78
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic socket
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Pentax X70 vs Sony A65 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X70 and Sony A65
 Pentax X70Sony SLT-A65
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X70 Sony SLT-A65
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2009-03-02 2011-11-15
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 50 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
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) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 10.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160s
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, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 410 grams (0.90 pounds) 622 grams (1.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") 132 x 97 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 74
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 717
Other
Battery life - 560 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $200 $700