• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 810.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax P70 advantages over Nikon P500

  • Less expensive
    $200 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.6 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 102 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    125g vs 499g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon P500 advantages over Pentax P70

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    810 mm vs 112 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    23 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    8 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax P70

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon P500

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-S980

Pentax P70
Sony DSC-S980
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Longer exposure
  • $149
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax P70 vs Sony DSC-S980

Nikon P500
Sony DSC-S980
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $149
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Nikon P500 vs Sony DSC-S980

Compared to Pentax P80

Pentax P70
Pentax P80
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster shutter
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Pentax P70 vs Pentax P80

Nikon P500
Pentax P80
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Nikon P500 vs Pentax P80

Compared to Olympus FE-4020

Pentax P70
Olympus FE-4020
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Manual focus
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Pentax P70 vs Olympus FE-4020

Nikon P500
Olympus FE-4020
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Nikon P500 vs Olympus FE-4020

Compared to Fujifilm S4000

Pentax P70
Fujifilm S4000
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $205
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax P70 vs Fujifilm S4000

Nikon P500
Fujifilm S4000
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More dots on screen
  • $205
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon P500 vs Fujifilm S4000

Compared to Olympus SP-820UZ

Pentax P70
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out

Compare Pentax P70 vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Nikon P500
Olympus SP-820UZ
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Nikon P500 vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Compare Other Cameras?