Pentax X70 vs Canon SX720 HS

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Pentax X70 vs Canon SX720 HS

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1/2.33 inch 28.2mm²
12.0 megapixels
26.00mm - 624.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Pentax X70 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the X70.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
20.3 megapixels
24.00mm - 960.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX720 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SX720 HS.

Succeeded by the Pentax X90
Compare X70 vs X90

Succeeded by the Canon SX730 HS
Compare SX720 HS vs SX730 HS

Compare PENTAX X90 vs CANON SX730 HS

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Differences

Pentax X70 advantages over Canon SX720 HS

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 1.53 vs 1.19 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Larger lens aperture
f/2.8 vs f/3.3
Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Faster JPEG shooting
11.0 fps vs 5.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
6400 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX720 HS advantages over Pentax X70

Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
More telephoto lens reach
960 mm vs 624 mm
Capture objects farther away
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

250 vs 170 shots
Capture more photos
Manual focus
Yes vs No
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
Thinner
35 mm vs 99 mm
Thinner
Newer
9 years vs 16 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Lighter weight
270g vs 411g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
922k 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
More pixels
20.3 vs 12.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Longer exposure
15 vs 4 sec
Long exposures for night shots

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 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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read X70 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax X70, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax X70 First Shots

We haven’t finished our review of the Canon SX720 HS, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Canon SX720 HS Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SP-590UZ

Pentax X70

Olympus SP-590UZ

$400
1/2.33 inch

Tiltable Screen
Faster shutter

$450
1/2.33 inch

Manual focus
Longer exposure

Compare Pentax X70 vs Olympus SP-590UZ

Canon SX720 HS

Olympus SP-590UZ

$279
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

$450
1/2.33 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Olympus SP-590UZ

Compared to Nikon P90

Pentax X70

Nikon P90

$400
1/2.33 inch

Faster JPEG shooting
Faster shutter

$400
1/2.33 inch

Longer exposure

Compare Pentax X70 vs Nikon P90

Canon SX720 HS

Nikon P90

$279
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

$400
1/2.33 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon P90

Compared to Pentax X90

Pentax X70

Pentax X90

$400
1/2.33 inch

Tiltable Screen
Faster JPEG shooting

$400
1/2.33 inch

Longer stills battery life
HDMI out

Compare Pentax X70 vs Pentax X90

Canon SX720 HS

Pentax X90

$279
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

$400
1/2.33 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Pentax X90

Compared to Nikon A900

Pentax X70

Nikon A900

$400
1/2.33 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Bigger pixels

$397
1/2.3 inch

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax X70 vs Nikon A900

Canon SX720 HS

Nikon A900

$279
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Manual focus

$397
1/2.3 inch

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon A900

Compared to Canon SX730 HS

Pentax X70

Canon SX730 HS

$400
1/2.33 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Bigger pixels

$399
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

Compare Pentax X70 vs Canon SX730 HS

Canon SX720 HS

Canon SX730 HS

$279
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive

$399
1/2.3 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Canon SX730 HS

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