Pentax K-70 vs Sony A6500

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Pentax K-70 vs Sony A6500

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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.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A6500 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A6500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A6500.
Compare Sony A6500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A6500 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A6600
Compare A6500 vs A6600
Compare Pentax K-70 vs Sony A6600

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Differences

Pentax K-70 advantages over Sony A6500

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$797 vs $1598
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Fast startup
~1.00 vs 1.3 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A6500 advantages over Pentax K-70

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Thinner
53 mm vs 74 mm
Thinner
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Faster JPEG shooting
11.1 fps vs 6.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
231 vs 47 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.1 fps vs 6.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
110 vs 11 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

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
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-70 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A6500 User Reviews

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Kit with 18-135mm lens

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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

Comfortable, premium body with good controls; Touch-screen for subject selection; Hybrid image stabilization system; Excellent image quality; Better high ISO JPEGs than the A6300; Extremely fast 11.1 fps burst capture; Very deep buffers for raw and JPEG alike; 4K video capture with no pixel binning
Pricey for an APS-C camera; JPEG colors aren't the most accurate; Very slow buffer clearing; Laggy touch-pad AF function; Poorly-placed movie button; No headphone jack; Mediocre battery life
Read our Sony A6500 Review

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 A6500

Canon T6s

$1216
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$619
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A6500 vs Canon T6s

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro2

Pentax K-70

Fujifilm X-Pro2

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1300
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Thinner

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Fujifilm X-Pro2

Sony A6500

Fujifilm X-Pro2

$1216
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Touchscreen

$1300
APS-C

Higher max flash sync
More dots on screen

Compare Sony A6500 vs Fujifilm X-Pro2

Compared to Sony A6300

Pentax K-70

Sony A6300

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$748
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Sony A6300

Sony A6500

Sony A6300

$1216
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Touchscreen

$748
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony A6500 vs Sony A6300

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 A6500

Canon 77D

$1216
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$550
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A6500 vs Canon 77D

Compared to Nikon D7500

Pentax K-70

Nikon D7500

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$897
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Nikon D7500

Sony A6500

Nikon D7500

$1216
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$897
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A6500 vs Nikon D7500

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