• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 12,800
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400

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Differences

Nikon D810 advantages over Pentax K-70

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1200 vs 410 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    15 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    36.3 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    51 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    23 vs 11 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Pentax K-70 advantages over Nikon D810

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $797 vs $2079
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.1 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.1 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 51200 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-70

Review Excerpt

  • Handles even better than its predecessors; Absolutely spectacular images from the 36-megapixel image sensor; Unusually wide sensitivity range for its resolution; Improved performance and buffer depths; Improved video feature set; Impressive low-light autofocus

  • Prone to moire and false color with some subjects; No longer available with a low-pass filter; Demands excellent lenses for the best detail; White balance tends warm under tungsten lighting

  • Huge bang for the buck; Great image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast autofocus; Good burst frame rate with deep buffer; Pentaprism viewfinder; Twin control dials; Articulated LCD; Comprehensive weather-sealing and freeze-proofing; Unbelievable wealth of rare to unique (yet very useful) features

  • Wi-Fi wireless communication is slow, clumsy and unintuitive; Video autofocus is prone to hunting or racking focus; Slow buffer clearing; Rather heavy for an entry-level DSLR; Autofocus and metering systems are a bit dated; Below average battery life

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D810
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Pentax K-70
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D800

Nikon D810
Nikon D800
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Pentax K-70
Nikon D800
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D800E

Nikon D810
Nikon D800E
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
Pentax K-70
Nikon D800E
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon T6s

Nikon D810
Canon T6s
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $619
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Pentax K-70
Canon T6s
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $619
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • NFC

Compared to Canon 77D

Nikon D810
Canon 77D
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $550
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Pentax K-70
Canon 77D
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $550
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
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