Pentax K-70 vs Sony A1

Cameras
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Pentax K-70 vs Sony A1

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-70 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-70 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-70.
Compare Pentax K-70 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-70 conclusion.

35mm 861.6mm²
50.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A1.
Compare Sony A1 image quality against competitors.

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Differences

Pentax K-70 advantages over Sony A1

Less expensive
$797 vs $4998*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

Sony A1 advantages over Pentax K-70

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Shoot 4K video
No vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

530 vs 410 shots
Capture more photos
Higher max flash sync
1/400 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
4 years vs 8 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
0.90x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
50.1 vs 24.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
30.0 fps vs 6.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
165 vs 47 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 6.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
155 vs 11 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 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
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
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-70 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A1 User Reviews

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Body Only (Black)
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Kit with 18-135mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 18-135mm Lens (Silver)

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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
Read our Pentax K-70 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Sony A1, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Sony A1 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6s

Pentax K-70

Canon T6s

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$619
APS-C

Touchscreen
NFC

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Canon T6s

Sony A1

Canon T6s

$5498
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$619
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon T6s

Compared to Canon 77D

Pentax K-70

Canon 77D

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$550
APS-C

Touchscreen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Canon 77D

Sony A1

Canon 77D

$5498
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$550
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon 77D

Compared to Nikon D7500

Pentax K-70

Nikon D7500

$597
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Nikon D7500

Sony A1

Nikon D7500

$5498
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$797
APS-C

Less expensive
Lens selection

Compare Sony A1 vs Nikon D7500

Compared to Sony A7R IV

Pentax K-70

Sony A7R IV

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$3120
35mm

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Sony A7R IV

Sony A1

Sony A7R IV

$5498
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Longer video battery life

$3120
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A7R IV

Compared to Canon R5

Pentax K-70

Canon R5

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$3349
35mm

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Canon R5

Sony A1

Canon R5

$5498
35mm

Slower slow-motion
NFC

$3349
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon R5

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