• APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

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Differences

Canon 70D advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • Less expensive
    $999 vs $1997
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 920 vs 670 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 105 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.7 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.7 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Canon 70D

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 vs 4.11 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    25 vs 19
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    7 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.59x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 20.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    33 vs 19
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF delivers full-time continuous autofocus (with phase detect at every pixel in framing area) for video and Live View still shooting; Full HD (1080p) video recording with pro-level features and quality; Improved resolution and good high ISO performance; Excellent Wi-Fi remote shooting with full exposure controls; 3-inch articulating LCD touchscreen.

  • Image quality only improved slightly over 60D; Dynamic range still lags behind competing models; May not feature enough upgrades to convince people to step up from 60D.

  • Read our Canon 70D Review

  • Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.

  • Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.

  • Read our Pentax K-1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Canon 70D
Nikon D7100
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon 70D vs Nikon D7100

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D7100
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Sony A77 II

Canon 70D
Sony A77 II
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 70D vs Sony A77 II

Pentax K-1 II
Sony A77 II
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A77 II

Compared to Nikon D7200

Canon 70D
Nikon D7200
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC

Compare Canon 70D vs Nikon D7200

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D7200
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 70D
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 70D vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D850

Canon 70D
Nikon D850
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon 70D vs Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

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