• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400

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Differences

Sony A7 II advantages over Pentax K-70

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.71x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    28 vs 11 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Pentax K-70 advantages over Sony A7 II

  • 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 1.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    203 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.22 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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  • Body Only
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Buy the Pentax K-70
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  • Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Silver)
  • Kit with 18-135mm Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-135mm Lens (Silver)
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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization; Sensor-shift IS brings stabilization to nearly any lens; Much-improved ergonomics and top-deck control layout; 'Mark II' maintains same impressive image quality, dynamic range and high ISO performance; XAVC S 50Mbps video format; Faster start-up time; Hybrid AF performs well with good continuous AF.

  • (Similar to A7): Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Battery life could be better; Low-light AF still not as good as most DSLRs; High ISO JPEGs look over-processed; Slow buffer clearing; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses (but it's getting better).

  • Read our Sony A7 II Review

  • 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

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7

Sony A7 II
Sony A7
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7

Pentax K-70
Sony A7
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Sony A7

Compared to Canon T6s

Sony A7 II
Canon T6s
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $619
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 II vs 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

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A7 II
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Pentax K-70
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Canon 77D

Sony A7 II
Canon 77D
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $550
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 II vs 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

Compared to Sony A7 III

Sony A7 II
Sony A7 III
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1898
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7 III

Pentax K-70
Sony A7 III
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1898
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Sony A7 III

Compare Other Cameras?