• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Pentax P70 advantages over Sony NEX-5

  • Less expensive
    $200 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 40 mm
    Thinner

Sony NEX-5 advantages over Pentax P70

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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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
Sony NEX-5
Sony DSC-S980
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $149
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax P80

Pentax P70
Pentax P80
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster shutter
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
Sony NEX-5
Pentax P80
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Sony NEX-5
Olympus FE-4020
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Samsung NX100

Pentax P70
Samsung NX100
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony NEX-5
Samsung NX100
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Pentax P70
Sony NEX-C3
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
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