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Pentax K-70

Ergonomics 
 8.6
Build Quality 
 8.7
User Interface 
 8.9
Autofocus 
 8.3
Features 
 9.4
Value 
 9.5
Image Quality 
 9.6
Noise 
 8.9
Reviews Views Date of last review
20 88,935 Tue February 7, 2023
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
95% of reviewers $637.50 9.00
Pentax K-70

Pentax K-70
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Pentax K-70
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Pentax K-70
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Pentax K-70
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Pentax K-70
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Pentax K-70
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Description:

The Pentax K-70 was announced in June 2016 and is a very advanced 24MP APS-C DSLR for its price point. It inherits features from the K-50 and the K-S2, and adds several features otherwise only found on high end bodies like the K-3 II and K-1. As if this wouldn't be enough the K-70 adds two new features of its own: It is the first Pentax DSLR to support lenses with electronic control of the aperture, a feature that videographers will benefit from because it allows precise exposure adjustment during video recording, and it is also the first Pentax DSLR to have a hybrid phase detect/contrast detect autofocus system in live view and for video recording.

The K-70's key features:

  • 24 MP APS-C CMOS sensor with phase detect AF capabilityEdit
  • Hybrid phase detect/contrast detect autofocus in video mode
  • Continuous autofocus during video recording with select lenses
  • Focus peaking
  • Pixel shift super resolution
  • No AA filter
  • AA filter simulator
  • Sensitivity up to ISO 102,400
  • Pentaprism viewfinder with 100% coverage
  • 6 FPS continuous shooting
  • Vari-angle LCD monitor
  • Dust & weather sealed and cold proof to -10C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Full HD video recording at 60p
  • 4K interval movie
  • Star stream movie
  • In-body shake reduction. Works with all lenses, old as new
  • Compatible with the optional O-GPS1 unit including support for astrotracing

The pixel shift capability has been improved over the K-3II in that the K-70 like the K-1 will attempt to correct artifacts stemming from moving objects.

The K-70 has no anti-alias filter in front of the sensor. Should moiré be an issue the K-70 includes the unique Pentax feature of an AA filter simulator that works by vibrating the sensor ever so slightly during exposure thereby reducing or eliminating moiré. An AA simulator bracketing mode is available (off - weak filter - strong filter).

Read our in-depth review of the K-70 here.

Features subsequently added through firmware updates:

  • Version 1.13: Optimized focus operation for the DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW lens
  • Version 1.12: Optimized focus operation for the FA Limited 31mm, 43mm, and 77mm lenses
  • Version 1.11: Bug fix
  • Version 1.10: Optimized performance with the DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE lens;  enabled ISO sensitivity to change during multiple exposures

By installing the most recent update you also get the contents of all previous updates.

Camera Manuals:


Pentax K-70
© www.pentaxforums.com, sharable with attribution
Year Introduced
2016
In Production
No
Current US Price
$649
In-Depth Review
Click to Read
Sensor
Sensor Format
APS-C
Sensor Type
CMOS
Megapixels
24.24
Resolution
4000 x 6000 pixels
AA Filter
No (AA filter simulator)
Super Resolution
Yes
Bit Depth
14
Minimum ISO
100
Maximum ISO
102400
ISO Range
100 - 102,400
Imaging
Exposure Modes
Auto (green), Scene, HyP, Sv, Av, Tv, TAv, HyM, B, User(3)
Program Modes
Normal
Maximum FPS
6
Continuous Shooting
Hi: 6 fps up to 40 frames (JPG), 10 frames (RAW), Lo: 3 fps up to 100 frames (JPEG), 16 frames (RAW)
Shutter Speeds (Auto)
30s - 1/6000s (stepless)
Shutter Speeds (Manual)
B, 30s - 1/6000s, Up to 20 minutes in Timed Bulb mode. Up to 300s in Astrotracer mode
Shutter Life
Exposure compensation
+/-5 EV (+/-2 EV in movie mode)
Auto bracketing
Exposure (2, 3 or 5 frames), one-push EV bracketing, AA filter (3 frames)
Expanded dynamic range
Highlight (auto, on, off), Shadow (auto, high, medium, low, off)
Exposure lock
Yes
Self timer
2 s with mirror lock-up, 12 s
Metering Sensor
77-Segment
Meter range
0 to 22 EV
Meter pattern
Multi-Segment,Center Weighted,Spot
Mirror lock-up
Yes
Interval shooting
Up to 2000 frames, 2 sec to 24 hours interval
HDR mode
Yes
Multiple exposures
Yes, average, additive and bright, 2 to 2000 shots
Pixel mapping
Yes
Scene Modes
20: Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night Scene Portrait, Sunset, Blue Sky, Forest, Night Scene, Night Scene HDR (JPG only), Night Snap, Food, Pet, Kids, Surf & Snow, Backlight Silhouette, Candlelight, Stage Lighting, Museum
Restrictions
Exposure modes with M and K lenses are restricted to Av (with aperture always wide open) and M (with stop-down metering)
Lens Mount
Mount
KAF2 (no aperture coupler)
Composition Adjustment
No
Stabilization
Yes (sensor-shift SR)
Power zoom
Not supported
Supported Lenses
All Pentax K-mount lenses. Manual focus only with K-, M-, and A-series lenses. Stop down metering only with K- and M-series lenses). M42, Pentax 645 and Pentax 6x7 lenses with the appropriate adapters: green button stop down metering and manual focus only.
Lens correction
Distortion,Lateral Chromatic Aberration,Vignetting,Diffraction
Focusing
Autofocus (viewfinder)
Yes (SAFOX X, 11 focus points (9 cross type))
AF Points
11
Autofocus sensitivity
-3 EV
Front/back focus correction
Yes (adjustments for up to 20 lenses)
Autofocus with SDM
Yes
Autofocus assist
Dedicated LED
Viewfinder/LCD
Viewfinder
0.95x, 100%
Viewfinder type
Pentaprism
Diopter adjustment
-2.5 to +1.5
AF Points in viewfinder
Yes
Exchangeable screen
Yes
Depth of field preview
Yes
Digital preview
Yes (with image magnificaion)
Live View
Yes
Top LCD
No
Focus Peaking
Yes
Back LCD
3 in. 921,000 dots, 3:2 aspect ratio, vari-angle, red light night mode
Body
Weather resistant
Yes
Control wheels
2
Battery grip
No
Card slots
1
Dust removal
Yes, Sensor Shake DR
Dust alert
No
Memory card type
SD, SDHC, SDXC (UHS-I Compatible)
Size (W x H x D)
125.5 x 93 x 74 mm (4.9 x 3.7 x 2.9 in.)
Weight
628 g (688 g with battery and SD card)
File format
PEF (RAW),DNG (RAW),JPG,MOV
Battery life
480 frames (without flash)
Battery
D-LI109 lithium-ion rechargeable
Flash
Built-in flash
Yes, GN 12 (ISO 100/m)
Sync speed
1/180s
P-TTL flash
Yes
Flash functions
Auto discharge, On (leading curtain sync), Redeye reduction, Slow-speed sync, Trailing curtain sync, High-speed sync*, Manual, Wireless*, Contrast control*
* Available when combined with external flash
TTL flash
No
Flash exposure comp
-2 to 1 EV
Video
Resolution / Framerates
1920x1080 (16:9 Full HD) at 60i, 50i, 30p, 25p and 24p,
1280x720 (16:9) at 60p, 50p
MPEG4 AVC/H.264
Interval Movie (4K, Full HD, HD)
Star Stream
Exposure Modes
P, Av, TAv, Tv, M
Movie mode restrictions
Clips up to 4GB or 25 minutes
AF During Recording
Continuous (with compatible lenses) and On-demand
Sound in Movie mode
Stereo (external mic), Stereo (built-in mic). Adjustable sound level
Interfacing
GPS
Via Accessory
Tethering
Via built-in Wi-Fi
Connectivity
USB 2.0, HDMI out, Stereo mic, Wi-Fi
Latest Firmware
Link to Download Page
Notes
User reviews
In-depth review
Astrotracer compatible, Electronic Aperture Control, Electronic Level, Embed copyright information in EXIF, High ISO NR can be customized for each major ISO value, Image plane indicator, In-camera RAW development, Moiré suppression via SR mechanism, Moiré suppression bracketing, Multilayer digital filters, Night vision LCD display, Save last JPG as RAW, The RAW button is customizable and can perform a variety of functions, hereunder exposure bracketing
Special Editions

Black, Silver


Megapixels: 24
ISO Range: 100-102400
Weight: 688g
FPS: 6
LCD: 3.0", articulating
In Production: Buy the Pentax K-70
Type: Upper entry-level DSLR
Weather Sealed: Yes
In-Depth Review: Read our Pentax K-70 in-depth review!
Price History:



Add Review of Pentax K-70 Buy the Pentax K-70
Author:
Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Descending) Showing Reviews 16-20 of 20
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.
   
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   

As suspected, K70 is a condensed of what Pentax is making today: high resolution sensor with magic colors rendering.
What else?
   
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.
   
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
   
New Member

Registered: February, 2023
Posts: 4
Review Date: February 7, 2023 Recommended | Price: $535.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: It's a tank, WR put to the test, articulated screen
Cons: No battery grip, low usable ISO despite the high range
Years Owned: 3    Ergonomics: 9    Build Quality: 10    User Interface: 9    Autofocus: 8    Features: 9    Value: 10    Image Quality: 9    Noise: 7    New or Used: New   

Before purchasing it, I did some research, looking for the best camera with the features I wanted. I started my photography journey with my father's Pentax ME Super, and I really enjoyed the brand. And looking from all brands and all cameras, here she came:

24MP, WR, high ISO, Shake Reduction, pentaPRISM, fully articulated screen.

All thoose feature in other brands were available only beyond some thousands money, and Pentax included all of them under 600 bucks with 18-55 (WR TOO) kit lens, WOW (maybe I also had the fortune to find the right deal in the right moment).

I brought her everywere, with sand, snow and heavy rain; and she didn't flinch even for a moment. With my 69.148 shots taken, in 3 years of usage, the monitor started to switch off even if not in closed position, and the rubber grip of the right hand got a little unstuck, and i think she deserve some SPA service in assistance.

It takes a while to understand your camera body, but when you know every button and small feature even blindfolded, you can reach the images you really want to take.

I think I got almost sentimental, talking about a piece of metal, glass and rubber, but the way I see the world now is only through her, and I really thank her.







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