• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-70 advantages over Panasonic GH5

  • Less expensive
    $797 vs $1298
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 3.34 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GH5 advantages over Pentax K-70

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher-res screen
    405k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.76x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.9 fps vs 6.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    600 vs 47 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.9 fps vs 6.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    65 vs 11 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/6000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Both provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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 GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-70

Review Excerpt

  • 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

  • 20MP sensor; Better per-pixel sharpness; Very good, slightly improved dynamic range and high ISOs; Stellar 4K video up to 60p with no crop; 6K Photo; Dual UHS-II SD slots; Good battery life for its class.

  • Buffer is deep, but slow to clear; Expensive; Menus still confusing; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6s

Pentax K-70
Canon T6s
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $619
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • NFC
Panasonic GH5
Canon T6s
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $619
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon 77D

Pentax K-70
Canon 77D
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $550
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
Panasonic GH5
Canon 77D
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $550
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D7500

Pentax K-70
Nikon D7500
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $897
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic GH5
Nikon D7500
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $897
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic G9

Pentax K-70
Panasonic G9
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $948
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic GH5
Panasonic G9
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $948
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Top deck display

Compared to Panasonic G95

Pentax K-70
Panasonic G95
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic GH5
Panasonic G95
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
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