• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 111.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax S12 advantages over Sony DSC-H70

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 270 vs 145 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Lighter weight
    130g vs 192g
    Lighter weight

Sony DSC-H70 advantages over Pentax S12

  • Less expensive
    $230 vs $280 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More telephoto lens reach
    250 mm vs 111 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 37 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax S12

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony DSC-H70

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax A40

Pentax S12
Pentax A40
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax S12 vs Pentax A40

Sony DSC-H70
Pentax A40
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony DSC-H70 vs Pentax A40

Compared to Samsung SL310

Pentax S12
Samsung SL310
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Manual focus
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax S12 vs Samsung SL310

Sony DSC-H70
Samsung SL310
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony DSC-H70 vs Samsung SL310

Compared to Samsung TL34HD

Pentax S12
Samsung TL34HD
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $330
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • HDMI out

Compare Pentax S12 vs Samsung TL34HD

Sony DSC-H70
Samsung TL34HD
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $330
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony DSC-H70 vs Samsung TL34HD

Compared to Nikon S8000

Pentax S12
Nikon S8000
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax S12 vs Nikon S8000

Sony DSC-H70
Nikon S8000
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Wider angle lens
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony DSC-H70 vs Nikon S8000

Compared to Sony DSC-H55

Pentax S12
Sony DSC-H55
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $204
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax S12 vs Sony DSC-H55

Sony DSC-H70
Sony DSC-H55
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $204
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony DSC-H70 vs Sony DSC-H55

Compare Other Cameras?