| Author: | | New Member Registered: November, 2015 Posts: 19
6 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 21, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $670.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | handling, lightweight, tilt-screen, superb high-ISO performance, very good dynamic range | | Cons: | images a bit washed-out in default setting, no default option for wireless flash, no dedicated metering button | | Years Owned: 2 months
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 7
Features: 9
Value: 9
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
| |
This camera has been around for quite sometime now but I was a bit surprised that there are no reviews up for it yet. So I thought I should get the ball rolling. First, let me tell you how I ended up with this camera. My first venture into the Pentax world was the K-50. I was frankly overwhelmed by its image quality and the bang for buck I could get out of it. However, I felt that the autofocus could have been slightly better. After using my K-50 for 7-8 months, I found a great deal on Amazon on the K-3. I bit the bullet and took the deal while simultaneously selling off my K-50. I kept my K-3 for quite sometime and I was loving every bit of it (although the high-ISO noise was something to be desired). However, was usually using a flash for lowlight indoor shooting, so that did not bother me so much. I kept my K-3 for a long time and amassed a good line of lenses over time to go with it. I was a happy photographer. But then Pentax announced the K-1. So much feature for EUR 2000?  I could not resist. So I sold off my K-3 and quite a few of my "cropped sensor" lenses and bought the K-1. Was I a happy photographer? Yes and no. Frankly, the image quality provided by the K-1 is incomparable. Probably the best in its class. But hey, what's wrong with my old lenses? Those lenses that used to be perfectly decent on my K-3 weren't as decent anymore? I figured the super-high resolution of the K-1 demands a lot from it lenses. And good quality lenses do not come cheap. Could I invest more in higher quality lenses? No. And the second and more pressing con for me was the sheer bulk of the K-1. My camera bag which could easily fit the camera, a couple of lenses and a flash now was struggling to fit the K-1 and the flash. Not to mention the weight I was carrying all the time. Also as I travel a lot and mostly on foot, carrying such a heavy material did have its downsides. I found I was mostly leaving my K-1 at home (when I went out on small trips) and thus missed many nice images. In the meanwhile I faced a financial crunch and so decided to sell off my K-1.
What should I get as replacement? A K-3, or the K-50 once more? But just then Pentax came up with this K-70. It was lightweight, small (like the K-50), had a 24MP sensor, pixel-shift, weather sealed, tilt-screen and everything I love about Pentax and in quite an affordable package. And so I finally settled for it. Am, I happy with my purchase? Yes. Will I recommend it? Yes.
Since this is supposed to be a review. Let me list out what I like and don't like about the K-70.
What I like:
1. Lightweight, compact easy to carry.
2. Tilt-screen not only helps to get that shot from the weird angle but also closes on itself to protect the screen from scratches.
3. Superb noise control at high ISOs. Is it better than the K-3? Yes, by almost a couple of stops. Is it comparable to the K-1? I would say yes but the K-1 definitely edges ahead by about a stop thanks to its full frame sensor.
4. Superb dynamic range.
What I don't like:
1. Images tend to be a bit washed out and lack contrast in the default. I went to the image settings, increased the clarity by a couple of points, the contrast by a couple and increased the sharpness by one point. The result was much better and crisper than the default setting. Note that the very same problem was reported by dpreview in their review.
2. No built-in support for wireless flash. I discovered this the hard way the other day when I wanted to click some portraits with my AF540 FZ off camera. Later I read up and realized that Pentax had silently done away with this feature since the K-S1. That means I need to buy an external trigger unit. But how I missed my K-3 at that moment!
3. No dedicated metering button and not even the option to configure one of the custom buttons! Who needs a dedicated button for wifi (which doesn't even work half of the times)?
4. AF is ok but not as good as the K-3. It hunts sometimes and I get around 95% keepers even in bright daylight. (Note however that my comments about its AF performance is purely for the limited lenses (20-40 Ltd, 40 Ltd, 70 Ltd), the 55 F1.4 and the 16-50 F2.8 SDM lenses. Heard that the AF is much better on the new 55-300 PLM and perhaps also the kit 18-135 DC. Haven't yet had the chance to tenses though)
Finally the million dollar question: Since both are similarly priced today and have similar specs, would I recommend it over the K3? If portability and light weight is your preference and you don't mind the polycarbonate body and the slightly slower AF and also if you shoot a lot in high ISO, then Yes. Otherwise, no.
Enough said, now time for a few pics:
This next picture goes on to show the amazing dynamic range this camera is capable of. I did not use a flash. I pulled out the foreground from absolute shadow in postprocessing. Yes, the noise control is superbly low.
Update 29/01/17:
I figured out a way to fire my AF540FGZ off-camera using the built-in pop up flash -- put the AF540 in SL2 dumb slave mode and then the pop-up flash will trigger it. Of course I don't get P-TTL and everything is manual but hey it's still something. And I like to control my speedlights manually anyway. Of course the pop-up flash will contribute to the exposure but that can be 'minimised' but setting the pop-up flash to 1/128. I don't mind that too much because the actual 'wireless' mode in the K-3 also does contribute to the exposure even if very slightly. So my con no. 2 is less harsh now!
However, while I was at it, I seemed to have opened another can of worms. The K-70 seems to overexpose like crazy when the on-camera flash is in bounce in every mode (except of course M). This problem has been raised by others too:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/193-pentax-k-70/336303-pentax-af-540-fgz...unce-mode.html
Apparently this was a well documented problem with the K-5:
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/2922903
Pentax claimed to have corrected it eventually with the K-3. And surely enough, I never had any problem with exposure when bouncing my AF540 in P-TTL. The story is totally different with the K-70. Seems like it is a software issue but I am amazed at how it can resurface even when Pentax fixed it for the K-3. This is a serious bug and I hope they come up with a firmware upgrade soon to address it. But does it show poor quality control and testing on Pentax's part? Disappointed.
Update 28/03/2017:
I am demoting the image quality score of my review from 9 to 8. There are couple of reasons for it. First, the JPEGs out-of-camera are really bad. I always knew this but realised this even more from my past few months of using the camera after my last update (I hardly shoot JPEGs but I did have the excuse to shoot some). Even when using RiceHigh's Pentax Blog's recommended settings for JPEGs OOC:
http://ricehigh.blogspot.com/2013/09/my-best-optimal-custom-image-colour.html
the pictures are awkwardly sharpened/noise-reduced, and moreover, the white balance is all over the place, esp. when using a speedlight. There's a strong magenta cast on some of the pictures (this happens when shooting Caucasian skin tones) and a strong green cast on the others (happens when shooting asian skin tones). I don't know yet if it is just me or the camera or if it is purely random. The RAW files, as always, are superb though. Secondly, there's the totally awful exposure for bounce flash in P-TTL mode as I mentioned before. The pictures are almost always over-exposed in the default setting. I hoped to be able to control it in the Av mode while keeping the ISO constant at 100. But what the camera does is, it shoots invariably at 1/50s (God knows where it calculates that from!) at least with my DA 20-40 limited. Just to mention, I did contact Pentax about this on-camera bounce-flash issue. They seemed to wash-their hands off giving me obvious excuses. I am really disappointed with Pentax QC and after sales. That's the reason I'm reducing my score for its overall performance as well. In any case, if it were not for the compactness of the K-70, I'd happily switch back to the good old K-3.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2010 Posts: 2
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 1, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $800.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Build quality, tilt-screen, image quality, ISO, features, customisation | | Cons: | Battery life | | Years Owned: >1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 9
Features: 9
Value: 9
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
| |
A great, robust, flexible camera with excellent picture quality.
The only negative thing: the battery could be better.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: July, 2007 Location: North West UK Posts: 390
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 7, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Same sensor as the K-3, weather sealing, flip/tilt/twist screen. Size | | Cons: | only 11 AF points, cheaper shutter system which is noisier. strange shape behind the grip. | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 8
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
| |
It is a rather good camera. lets get that out there.
It has some lovely pluses, the weather sealing, the tilt/twist screen is a boon for those who like low level macro shots, and it is nice and light. Oh and of course it has the same sensor as the K-3 so the image quality is fantastic!
Downsides? Well, not much really.
Good quality plastic, but not magnesium of the K-3. but it is the entry level body and still better made than rivals.
Only 11 AF points. Yes I know it is the entry level body, but Pentax really need to up the anti with AF ( have the K-3 and K-1 too)
Possibly too light for longer lenses for balancing. It may be worth Pentax to consider a battery grip option for the next one (K-80?) to allow a more balance with say the DA*300mm.
The shutter is going back a few generations with its noise. From the K-5 onwards, Pentax are renowned for their very quiet shutters.
Overall though, you get a seriously good camera with the K-70, with the same image quality, sealing and sensor as the K-3, but in a lighter and possibly more compact package. It is the perfect introduction the the Pentax system and a delightful second/third/lightweight body for those who already have the K-3 and/or the K-1.
Edit. Something I needed to add, thinking about Pentax actually bringing out a modern *istDs which itself could be considered the K1000 of the digital world. Is it the K70? Well it is oh so close. The bright viewfinder is there, as is the compact size. The K70 is so much better in ISO, AF speed, shutter quietness.
nearly matches the Ds with the bright viewfinder (seriously you really need to look through a *istDs to see how bright an APS-C viewfinder is), and its compact size, along with the fun aspect that is so missing in many DSLR's these days.
But. It still misses one aspect. The ability with using manual focus lenses. Until a certain other body cam out, only the Ds with its ability to focus and nail it on manual lenses, every time. The K-70 is so very close, better than others, and equal to the K-3 pair, but still Pentax cannot bring out an APS-C body that can match the Ds for this.
The K70 is the true son of the Ds in everything else.
Oh, before you ask, that other body that nails MF lenses every time, that the *istDs does? yep, the K-1!
Don't let my edit put you off the K70, it is a little gem of a camera that has so much going for it and worthy of having. the K1000/*istDs of the current era? Yes, but be careful when using MF lenses.
| | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2017 Posts: 5
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 15, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $1,192.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | grip, stills quality, dynamic range, WR | | Cons: | batterylife, autofocus | | Years Owned: 0,5
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 7
Features: 8
Value: 9
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
| |
Well, here we go!
Until the K-70 I owned an very cheap compact-superzoom with a tiny sensor and adequate image-quality.
We (me and my wife) needed a new camera, but the fast paced quality of cameras in smartphones made us decide that if we want to buy a new camera, it has to be something serious, otherwise it wil probably be very dated, very soon.
But we especially wanted to make better photos instead of quick snapshots with our smartphones.
In our opinion we made the best photo's if we take our time and use a dedicated camera with a good grip.
Around januari 2017 I borrowed an old Canon from a friend (1000D) just to practice a bit.
Apart from the dated camera we loved taking time to make nice photo's (or at least trying to).
Conclusion: we want an ILC.
But then?
I was already reading reviews on a number of websites and making lists about camera's.
Then walked to the nearest large retailer and was almost talked into buying a Nikon D5400.
After that we went to a dedicated camerastore and almost bought a Sony A58.
I then realised my knowledge was too basic for just buying a very random DSLR without thorough research.
So back to the drawingboard.
One large and extensive excel-file later I had a better view of wat was available.
The most important lesson I learned is that we wanted to have IBS, excellent image quality, flipping screen and some sort of WR.
That was the end of Nikon and Canon.
We tested mirrorless, but didn't like the EVF and on average they were small en we wanted a good chunky grip.
My conclusion of months of research was that the camera with fitted our wishes best was certainly a Pentax.
And specific the K70.
I read a lot of good reviews en we went to another camerastore with had the K70.
It was love in first sight.
Really good grip, very rugged exterior.
It feels like a camera you can drop 821 times and still works just fine.
We had a good deal for the K70 + 18-135mm WR + da 50mm f/1.8 for 999 euros (1192 dollars)
After using it for about six months I wanted to share my review.
Handling:
Very nice camera to hold on to. Deep grip en chucky exterior.
Buttons are on the right places and you can almost customize every button.
Operation:
Startup is almost instant. The menu is at first overwhelming in the sheer number of settings.
But without using the manual to much I found a lot of settings in a reasonable time. (even tho my wife already found it in the manual and tried to tell me wear I can find specific settings faster)
I then edited the standaard JPEG settings to increase the standard quality of the JPEG output.
The camera works as a charm.
One drawback, the battery.
My wife uses the wifi a lot (works very well in contrary of what some reviews say).
This wil empty your battery quite fast.
If we went for a daytrip, in most cases it was almost empty at the end of the day.
AF:
Moving objects (escpecially fast moving) is difficult, you will need some practise to get it right.
And in my experience you have a lot of misses. I did compare it with the 7Dm2 with 100-400LII from an uncle.
Okay, I know, that's not fair, but the difference is gigantic. (the price gap is also gigantic)
But an larger dof and high shutterspeed will do in most cases.
Image quality:
In my opinion excellent.
The real profit of a dedicated camera is not in bright light, but in situations of high contrast and low light.
The dynamic range is fantastic, you can lift back a almost black foreground to match the sky.
I'm experimenting with Lightroom to get the maximum out of raw-files.
Conclusion:
I can really recommand the K70 to any first time buyer.
Just be sure to tweak the settings for the JPEG output.
Image quality is stellar, dynamic range is huge and the OVF is beautiful.
The grip is solid and the WR build look and feels durable.
A great first Pentax!
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2013 Posts: 7
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 2, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Ergonomic, image quality, low light focus, price | | Cons: | Noisy shutter | | Years Owned: 0.5
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 8
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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I was considering a k1, but with the additional cost of getting my lens collection up to full frame, I looked at what the k70 offers with my nice compact primes, and figured it is such a bargain. So I went for it, and although I would love a k1, I'm really pleased. It's a big upgrade from my k30.
I find the grip is comfy and the back button is handy for focus duties. I have found with mitts on my palm can catch the rh function button so a settings lock would be useful. Generally the build feels solid and reassuring.
One of the first things I noticed is that low light focus is massively better than I'm used to, and in general with my 16-85 and my limited primes, the focus hit rate is excellent. Not really tested the focus tracking ability much, but not expecting it to be great.
Pentax really are getting great Iso performance out of their cameras these days. Up to 1000 the images are really clean, 1600 is fine and even 3200 gives good images, so for handheld indoor shooting I'm finding it to be great. The noise has a granular quality and is more film like than my k30, which, when you push it too far looks quite digital. The colours are more refined and the dynamic range is fantastic. I find I can draw more detail from blown highlights than I had thought was possible.
I haven't had my tripod out much and I find PS mode unrealiable without rocksolid stability. That said the basic look of PS images is just gorgeous. The idea of hand held PS on the k1ii sounds amazing.
Overall, Pentax have smashed it again for value. The only things I wish it had, are a quieter shutter, a separate AE lock button would be good for back button shooters, and settings lock. Ok gps, SRii, twin SD slots, and the new dynamic PS would be nice too, but that's basically a k1, and more money. The k70 is really capable and great fun to use.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2015 Location: USA Posts: 2,875
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 12, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $500.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Image Quality, Ergonomics, Tilt screen, Mic input, Bang for the buck | | Cons: | Loud shutter, only one SD card slot | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 7
New or Used: New
| |
I'm really liking the K-70. Previously I've owned the K3ii and the K3. While both are wonderful cameras, I believe that I just may end up liking the K-70 a bit more than these other cameras - mostly because of it's wonderful ergonomics (love the grip/buttons/weight).
The single SD memory card slot could be a concern to some. I've found that memory card slots are a weak link in digital cameras and can fail completely on their own at the most in-opportune times. But I've found a work around to that concern. I put a 64GB SD card in my K-70 and will never remove it. Instead of taking the SD card out of the K-70 to download it to my desktop, I instead use a cord to attach the K-70 to my computer. So, without the constant insertion and removal of the K-70s memory card, I'm hopeful that the single memory card slot in my new K-70 will last for a long time.
For those of you who shoot photos in the dark (paint with light, astro) you'll be pleased to hear that you can program one of the external buttons to turn all lights on the camera RED! This works great and will save your night vision while operating the camera. I periodically shoot and night and this feature just blew me away. Thanks Pentax, great idea!
I like its' video capability - it's surprising at this price point to get microphone input so I can record videos using my professional quality microphones.
24MP sensor, pixel shift, sensor based shake reduction what's not to like? The K-70 might just produce the best image quality in this price range of any camera on the market today!
Overall, an affordable and fun little camera that has all the features I need.
| | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2011 Location: Dorset , UK Posts: 6
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 19, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $560.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | handling , viewfinder , image quality | | Cons: | | | Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
| |
used my refurbished K-70 for 5 weeks now and feel I`m qualified to do a little review here (-:
a quick note on my background : I`ve enjoyed photography , especially the actual taking of shots for 35 years and am known to change gear far too often. I rarely changed gear because it wasn`t good enough, but rather as I felt the need for a change (-:
So , I bought this K-70 after selling my Olympus Em-5 mark II because I did not like (I hated) the electronic viewfinder ! And I love the Pentax viewfinder, it is large (for crop sensor) and bright, wonderful !
Sensor image quality is very good, a tad better than Nikon D5500 and a tad less compared to Fuji X-T1, but all three are great in that respect.
I need the swivel screen for flower and insect shots and am happy with it`s implementation.
Also the body size, weight, grip etc is just about perfect for my smallish male hands. It feels solid, well made and robust.
Auto focus seems ok to me, depends a lot on the lens I reckon. I know Pentax has a bad reputation in that respect but it works ok for me (I don`t shoot sports or fast things).
Battery life could be better, but I have two spares and not needed more than one spare yet
I think this is about it, I like this camera and am happy to have bought it 
a few weeks later I like to add :
The shutter/mirror sound is rather loud even for a DSLR which might be an issue in sensitive places and situations.
Regarding the "non professional" single SD card slot : I have never ever had any problems with any camera with "just" one slot (and I remove the card to put into my laptop or card reader) so, personally, I don`t see it as a problem (-:
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2008 Location: RSM, CA Posts: 505
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 5, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $598.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Features, Price, Handling, Image Quality | | Cons: | Not many | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 8
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
| |
This is a quick summary of my published review online.
The K70 represents Pentax's most well rounded DSLR for the money yet. It's highly capable, comfortable to use, compact, versatile, and weather sealed. It's image quality is the best I've yet tested or used for an APS-C DSLR to date (I have not tested the KP yet). Many high end features are included on the K70 that simply outclasses the competition. There is very little it cannot do, or features it is missing. Video is perhaps its biggest weakness but that's only comparing it to cameras of much higher cost, which really isn't fair.
All in all my favorite Pentax DSLR to date and they just keep on making me a new fan.
Carl
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2013 Location: Rovaniemi, Finland Posts: 963
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 6, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $550.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Ergonomics, build quality, screen | | Cons: | Battery, maybe? | | Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 8
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
| |
My fiance was getting frustrated with her K-x, specially it´s screen for live view so
i´ve been spending weeks for searching used upgrade. Bought a K-r from ´Bay but it was a hoax and never arrived.
We watched all the reviews from youtube and liked the K-30/50 very much. However she didn´t like the idea of paying 300+€ from used item so i tried to find the cheap, aperture issue ones but not much luck there.
One day i stumbled across a webstore with a "Pentax week" going on and boom, K-70 body for less than 500€ (about 550usd)!
Desision was made quick and the deal was done. Dealer was Finnish, so returning was no problem in the case she didn´t like the camera after all. Main concern was the size/weight, coming from K-x everything seems big.
Camera arrived, and after initial setting up i didn´t touch the camera but watched her playing around and kept telling that if you don´t like it, well send it back. Later that night she said the camera isn´t going anywhere... 
And wow, the thing is a thing of beauty! I use K-5 as my main camera and i´m not gonna loose it, but if i was needing a new one the K-70 would definetly be an option over K-3 and K-P. Love the articulating, sharp screen with focus peaking, it makes live view focusing easy, fun and invaluable in many situations because we mainly use vintage lenses.
Ergonomics, size, weight are all good. Pentax is doing great job with refining their products.
Shutter sound is pleasing, compared to K-x.
Noise control of high ISO is fantastic, low ISO images are sharp and crispy.
So, my fiance coming from K-x and me from K-5, the K-70 is a whole new world to us. I´m not giving my K-5 anywhere but i really enjoy using her new toy when ever i can!
Lot´s of it´s options are still unexplored and honestly, many are unnesessary, but one thing really stands up in my book: Being a modern, consumer grade camera with all the bells and whistles, Pentax has not forgotten what´s essential. All the controls of exposure are easy to reach, literally on your fingertips since they really keep thinking how things should be made.
Very nice camera! 
[IMG] Blueberry by Jani Fofonoff, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG] Family portrait by Jani Fofonoff, on Flickr[/IMG]
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: January, 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,600
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 9, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $605.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | 24MPixel at a good price | | Cons: | Not much space to fit your right thumb without pressing something accidently! | | Years Owned: 0.1
Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 8
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
| |
Still getting to grips with the differences from my K-5, but the outstanding negative factor for me is the ease with which I can (and do) press one or more of the buttons on the back of the camera with my thumb when I simply pick the thing up or bring it to my eye in a hurry. It's really quite unnerving and so unnecessary! It's going to get worse in the winter with gloves on! The camera doesn't have to be that cramped!
I really do like the focus-peaking feature. I use quite a lot of older manual lenses, as much because new replacements are unavailable as anything.
I was really quite disappointed to find my long-serving cable release wouldn't fit my new camera ... I was even more disappointed to find that the "correct item" seems to have been discontinued, with only an infra-red control available, which only works from the front of the camera ... if I'd wanted to take selfies I'd have bought a smartphone!
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: June, 2014 Location: Springhill Nova Scotia Posts: 397
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 12, 2018 | Not Recommended | Price: $500.00
| Rating: 5 |
| Pros: | Takes good photos so no complaints in what it was made for. | | Cons: | Poor battery life, noisy shutter, uncomfortable grip, tilty screen, small rear LCD due to the flippy hinge. | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 4
Build Quality: 5
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 8
Features: 8
Value: 6
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
| |
If you liked the K50 then this camera is right up your alley.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 212
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 6, 2019 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Pixel shift, Updated 24 MP Sensor, Increased ISO Sensitivity | | Cons: | Smaller Battery than K3, Loud shutter noise | | Years Owned: One Year
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 7
Autofocus: 8
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
| |
The K70 has been around for quite a while. I bought it for a backup to my K3 (4 yrs), replacing my K5iis. Having used it quite a bit (shutter count 1121), I can say it is a solid camera. The updated 24 MP sensor does show a minor improvement over the the K3 24 MP sensor. The plastic body is well made (doesn't feel like plastic), and I like the tilt screen.
The K70's higher ISO sensitivity gives me a slight edge over the the K3 in low light . The pixel shift super resolution in the K70 is a real plus. I am using it more often both hand held and tripod (preferred).
The negatives are obvious and they are: 11 point auto focus (I usually manual focus over auto focus with both my cameras), Noisy shutter and dust remover (takes me back to the K20), and D-LI109 battery (I have no less than 2 fully charged batteries on site).
Overall, this camera is a keeper, understanding it's pluses and minuses.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: October, 2013 Posts: 94
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 19, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $650.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Features, weather sealing, lens compatibility, autofocus | | Cons: | Ergonomically flawed, horrible to handle, feels cheap, 1 year warranty | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 4
Build Quality: 7
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 10
Features: 10
Value: 9
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
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This is the first of a dozen or so Pentax DSLRs I've owned that I really don't like handling. The main 4-way control on the rear is nothing short of horrible to use. The camera is angular and very uncomfortable to hold. If this is the way Ricoh are going with the brand I can't see myself remaining a customer - however I am still a fan of older Pentax DSLRs and lenses.
The new 18-50mm kit lens is also horrible to handle. I just can't see the point of making such a complicated lens mechanism just to shorten it by a couple of cm. It feels cheap and nasty and liable to break at any time.
Image quality is good as you would expect of a camera in this price bracket, and with the kit lens autofocus is extremely rapid and accurate. High ISO images are remarkably noise-free. The feature list is long and I especially like the remote wifi control via the smartphone app - it's about time Pentax made such a feature available.
It's a very capable camera but the build quality is dubious and the 2-year warranty I've come to expect with Pentax has been cut to just one. I've used Pentax DSLRs for over 10 years and still believe them to be superior to the competition but I can't help feeling standards have been lowered with this model.
Three-frame composite with kit lens hand-held 1/25s,18mm, f9, ISO 200.
 | | | | | Forum Member Registered: April, 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 72
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 27, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $400.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | compact | | Cons: | loud shutter sound | | Years Owned: 2019
Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 8
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 7
Features: 8
Value: 8
Image Quality: 10
New or Used: New
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As suspected, K70 is a condensed of what Pentax is making today: high resolution sensor with magic colors rendering.
What else?
| | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2013 Posts: 7
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 3, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $500.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | I love the sensor | | Cons: | Not a lot | | Years Owned: 0.5
Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 8
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
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In my defence, I have rated this camera based on the fact that it is Pentax' entry level DSLR and I got it for the price of a GoPro!
My first DSLR was a Pentax K-r and considering I paid more for that 10 years ago than I just did for my K-70 there is no comparison. Just as back then, the K-r was well ahead of other entry level DSLRs so it is with the K-70.
People have knocked the kit lens but I bought this "body only" and hopefully a relatively unoutstanding lens won't detract from my review of an excellent camera.
My workhorse for several years has been the K-5II and I miss the controls and top LCD of that camera but again it cost more than twice as much in the day.
I find the K-70 feels solid and comfortable to hold. The louder shutter is immediately noticeable but not in a jarring manner.
What finally made me pull the trigger on buying the K-70 was an excellent deal and the fact that I wanted an articulating screen to help with those awkward angle shots. I wasn't expecting an excellent improvement in high ISO noise. I have used pictures at 10000 ISO with little to grumble about. I don't know about you but I thought it remarkable.
As mentioned by others, the smaller capacity battery could be considered a problem but the most work my cameras have is a wedding day and because I use my K-5II, K10D and the K-70, battery life has not been an issue and I have spares.
I know the market might demand wide zoom ranges but I often think it would be a good idea to market these with the DA35 f2.4 as a kit option because I've never been a fan of slow, budget zooms and they could lead owners into thinking their new DSLR is poor?
I haven't even tried the pixel shift yet, it'll come, but for the time being I have been very impressed with my K-70.
I know it's a poor review, not my strong point, but imho this camera should be averaging in the 9's for an overall score.
I'm going to try and add a couple of sample pics but not sure how to do that, so fingers crossed. If they show up it was a dance recital performed by my daughter's dance school and I was right at the back using a Tamron 70-200 f2.8 (awesome lens btw)
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