Should I upgrade to K-70

JPSanchez · 05-13-2017, 07:26 AM

I've a Pentax K-5 which I've learned to use it and I like this Pentax very much, but in the last few weeks it has been giving me little problems.
In a couple of weeks I'll be starting a 3 week trip, our vacation this year for my wife and I, and it will be very disappointing if my K5 fails during this trip.
So my question is: if I'm to upgrade my camera, which one do you recommend the K-70 (more affordable and newer) or the K-3II (more expensive but manageable, but with more years in the market)?
Thank you for taking your time to answer this question.
Best regards
JP Sanchez

Last edited by photolady95; 05-13-2017 at 08:39 AM.

starbase218 · 05-13-2017, 08:37 AM

Impossible to answer.

How do you use your K-5? What is important to you? Compared to the K-70, the K-3 II has a more advanced AF, better build quality, deeper buffer I believe, but it lacks a flash.

And even after all of this, I would never tell anyone he or she "should" upgrade. It's not my decision, it's yours. I can tell you what I might do, that's all.

Saltwater Images · 05-13-2017, 08:38 AM

The K-5 was a flagship APS-C in its day. The K-3II is also a flagship level APS-C model. The feel and functionality will be similar but performance with the K-3II will be a noticeable improvement over your current camera body. The K-3II also has a shutter life that is double that of the K-70. If you keep your cameras for a long time - the more robust longer lasting model is a worthwhile investment.

The K-70 is a mid-range model. Terrific camera but a tier below to what you are accustomed. If you can spring for the K-3II you should seriously consider it.

pathdoc · 05-13-2017, 09:02 AM

How much do you need the onboard flash in your daily shooting? If the answer is "a lot", the K-3ii is not for you.

jeffw · 05-13-2017, 09:56 AM

K3ii at the current price is a steal. I just upgraded from a K30 and couldn't be happier.

pixelated · 05-13-2017, 01:13 PM

Starbase218 asked a central question: How do you use your current camera?

I take a lot of pictures while bicycle touring --so size and weight are important to me. Also, I don't have room in my bag for a flash, so high-ISO is important to me, as is a built-in flash. The K-70 is slightly smaller than the K3 II, and weighs nearly 100 grams less with battery. The K-70 built in flash is better than my previous K-50. The K-70 has max ISO 102400, as opposed to 51200 for the K3 II.

I have not used a K3 or K3 II, but for the reasons mentioned, I chose the K-70. It feels great in my hands, and I like it a _lot_ more than the K-50.

**Des** · 05-13-2017, 04:44 PM

Start with this comparator: Pentax K-5 vs. Pentax K-70 vs. Pentax K-3 II - Pentax Camera Comparison - PentaxForums.com

And see this helpful comparison: https://tweaknhack.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/pentax-k-70-vs-pentax-k-3-ii-detailed.html

Now you have the underlying facts, the question is which features matter most to you.

I've got one flagship camera (K-3) and one lighter-weight model (K-S2). I like them for different things. The K-3 for more robustness, battery life, much better AF, better metering, more heft (good for telephoto and other heavy lenses), dedicated buttons (e.g. ISO button), top LCD, better dust control, faster frame rate, etc. K-S2 for flippy screen (very handy for live view shooting above or below eye level), wi-fi, light wieght. The comparison would be closer with the K-70.

For a 3 week vacation, the lighter weight, flippy screen and in-built flash of the K-70 might seem to give it an edge over the K-3ii - but remember that the weight advantage is diminished by needing to carry a couple of spare batteries for the K-70 because of the much lower capacity.

Last edited by Des; 05-14-2017 at 05:33 PM.

JPSanchez · 05-15-2017, 11:18 AM

Originally posted by starbase218

Impossible to answer.

How do you use your K-5? What is important to you? Compared to the K-70, the K-3 II has a more advanced AF, better build quality, deeper buffer I believe, but it lacks a flash.

And even after all of this, I would never tell anyone he or she "should" upgrade. It's not my decision, it's yours. I can tell you what I might do, that's all.

Starbase 218: thank you for your reply. I'm an amateur photographer, now only using the M function on my K5
I do my early morning pictures (almost every day), flowers and family pictures; not professional, just for my personal use.

JPSanchez · 05-15-2017, 12:30 PM

Originally posted by Saltwater Images

The K-5 was a flagship APS-C in its day. The K-3II is also a flagship level APS-C model. The feel and functionality will be similar but performance with the K-3II will be a noticeable improvement over your current camera body. The K-3II also has a shutter life that is double that of the K-70. If you keep your cameras for a long time - the more robust longer lasting model is a worthwhile investment.

The K-70 is a mid-range model. Terrific camera but a tier below to what you are accustomed. If you can spring for the K-3II you should seriously consider it.

Saltwater images:
Thank you for your answer, it helps me to understand where the K5 stands, relative to more "professional" or "consumer", with de K3-II and K70

**Des** · 05-15-2017, 03:38 PM

Originally posted by JPSanchez;4000874I:

'm an amateur photographer, now only using the M function on my K5 I do my early morning pictures (almost every day), flowers and family pictures; not professional, just for my personal use.

Either the K-70 or the K-3ii will have all the features you are likely to want, and probably more.

To be honest, if you are using only the kit lenses, you might get more value from either repairing your K-5 or buying a second-hand K-3 (which has the advantage of a popup flash, unlike the K-3ii), and spending the difference on one really good lens, whether a zoom (such as the DA 16-85 or the Sigma 17-70C), or a prime at your preferred focal length.

JPSanchez · 05-15-2017, 05:45 PM

Originally posted by Des

Start with this comparator: Pentax K-5 vs. Pentax K-70 vs. Pentax K-3 II - Pentax Camera Comparison - PentaxForums.com

And see this helpful comparison: Pentax K-70 vs Pentax K-3 II - A Detailed Feature Comparison

Now you have the underlying facts, the question is which features matter most to you.

I've got one flagship camera (K-3) and one lighter-weight model (K-S2). I like them for different things. The K-3 for more robustness, battery life, much better AF, better metering, more heft (good for telephoto and other heavy lenses), dedicated buttons (e.g. ISO button), top LCD, better dust control, faster frame rate, etc. K-S2 for flippy screen (very handy for live view shooting above or below eye level), wi-fi, light wieght. The comparison would be closer with the K-70.

For a 3 week vacation, the lighter weight, flippy screen and in-built flash of the K-70 might seem to give it an edge over the K-3ii - but remember that the weight advantage is diminished by needing to carry a couple of spare batteries for the K-70 because of the much lower capacity.

Des:
Thank you for the links. Great information!
I decided that I'll like best the features of the K3-II .

05-13-2017, 07:26 AM	#1
JPSanchez New Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 7	Should I upgrade to K-70 I've a Pentax K-5 which I've learned to use it and I like this Pentax very much, but in the last few weeks it has been giving me little problems. In a couple of weeks I'll be starting a 3 week trip, our vacation this year for my wife and I, and it will be very disappointing if my K5 fails during this trip. So my question is: if I'm to upgrade my camera, which one do you recommend the K-70 (more affordable and newer) or the K-3II (more expensive but manageable, but with more years in the market)? Thank you for taking your time to answer this question. Best regards JP Sanchez Last edited by photolady95; 05-13-2017 at 08:39 AM.

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05-13-2017, 08:37 AM	#2
starbase218 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Planet Earth, Sol system, Milky Way galaxy, Universe Posts: 1,119	Impossible to answer. How do you use your K-5? What is important to you? Compared to the K-70, the K-3 II has a more advanced AF, better build quality, deeper buffer I believe, but it lacks a flash. And even after all of this, I would never tell anyone he or she "should" upgrade. It's not my decision, it's yours. I can tell you what I might do, that's all.

05-13-2017, 08:38 AM	#3
Saltwater Images Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Newfoundland Photos: Gallery Posts: 501	The K-5 was a flagship APS-C in its day. The K-3II is also a flagship level APS-C model. The feel and functionality will be similar but performance with the K-3II will be a noticeable improvement over your current camera body. The K-3II also has a shutter life that is double that of the K-70. If you keep your cameras for a long time - the more robust longer lasting model is a worthwhile investment. The K-70 is a mid-range model. Terrific camera but a tier below to what you are accustomed. If you can spring for the K-3II you should seriously consider it.

05-13-2017, 09:02 AM	#4
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	How much do you need the onboard flash in your daily shooting? If the answer is "a lot", the K-3ii is not for you.

05-13-2017, 09:56 AM	#5
jeffw Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Gallery Posts: 182	K3ii at the current price is a steal. I just upgraded from a K30 and couldn't be happier.

05-13-2017, 01:13 PM	#6
pixelated Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NYC Posts: 28	Starbase218 asked a central question: How do you use your current camera? I take a lot of pictures while bicycle touring --so size and weight are important to me. Also, I don't have room in my bag for a flash, so high-ISO is important to me, as is a built-in flash. The K-70 is slightly smaller than the K3 II, and weighs nearly 100 grams less with battery. The K-70 built in flash is better than my previous K-50. The K-70 has max ISO 102400, as opposed to 51200 for the K3 II. I have not used a K3 or K3 II, but for the reasons mentioned, I chose the K-70. It feels great in my hands, and I like it a _lot_ more than the K-50.

05-13-2017, 04:44 PM	#7
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Start with this comparator: Pentax K-5 vs. Pentax K-70 vs. Pentax K-3 II - Pentax Camera Comparison - PentaxForums.com And see this helpful comparison: https://tweaknhack.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/pentax-k-70-vs-pentax-k-3-ii-detailed.html Now you have the underlying facts, the question is which features matter most to you. I've got one flagship camera (K-3) and one lighter-weight model (K-S2). I like them for different things. The K-3 for more robustness, battery life, much better AF, better metering, more heft (good for telephoto and other heavy lenses), dedicated buttons (e.g. ISO button), top LCD, better dust control, faster frame rate, etc. K-S2 for flippy screen (very handy for live view shooting above or below eye level), wi-fi, light wieght. The comparison would be closer with the K-70. For a 3 week vacation, the lighter weight, flippy screen and in-built flash of the K-70 might seem to give it an edge over the K-3ii - but remember that the weight advantage is diminished by needing to carry a couple of spare batteries for the K-70 because of the much lower capacity. Last edited by Des; 05-14-2017 at 05:33 PM.

05-15-2017, 11:18 AM	#8
JPSanchez New Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 7 Original Poster	Originally posted by starbase218 Impossible to answer. How do you use your K-5? What is important to you? Compared to the K-70, the K-3 II has a more advanced AF, better build quality, deeper buffer I believe, but it lacks a flash. And even after all of this, I would never tell anyone he or she "should" upgrade. It's not my decision, it's yours. I can tell you what I might do, that's all. Starbase 218: thank you for your reply. I'm an amateur photographer, now only using the M function on my K5 I do my early morning pictures (almost every day), flowers and family pictures; not professional, just for my personal use.

05-15-2017, 12:30 PM	#9
JPSanchez New Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 7 Original Poster	Originally posted by Saltwater Images The K-5 was a flagship APS-C in its day. The K-3II is also a flagship level APS-C model. The feel and functionality will be similar but performance with the K-3II will be a noticeable improvement over your current camera body. The K-3II also has a shutter life that is double that of the K-70. If you keep your cameras for a long time - the more robust longer lasting model is a worthwhile investment. The K-70 is a mid-range model. Terrific camera but a tier below to what you are accustomed. If you can spring for the K-3II you should seriously consider it. Saltwater images: Thank you for your answer, it helps me to understand where the K5 stands, relative to more "professional" or "consumer", with de K3-II and K70

05-15-2017, 03:38 PM	#10
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by JPSanchez;4000874I: 'm an amateur photographer, now only using the M function on my K5 I do my early morning pictures (almost every day), flowers and family pictures; not professional, just for my personal use. Either the K-70 or the K-3ii will have all the features you are likely to want, and probably more. To be honest, if you are using only the kit lenses, you might get more value from either repairing your K-5 or buying a second-hand K-3 (which has the advantage of a popup flash, unlike the K-3ii), and spending the difference on one really good lens, whether a zoom (such as the DA 16-85 or the Sigma 17-70C), or a prime at your preferred focal length.

05-15-2017, 05:45 PM	#11
JPSanchez New Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 7 Original Poster	Originally posted by Des Start with this comparator: Pentax K-5 vs. Pentax K-70 vs. Pentax K-3 II - Pentax Camera Comparison - PentaxForums.com And see this helpful comparison: Pentax K-70 vs Pentax K-3 II - A Detailed Feature Comparison Now you have the underlying facts, the question is which features matter most to you. I've got one flagship camera (K-3) and one lighter-weight model (K-S2). I like them for different things. The K-3 for more robustness, battery life, much better AF, better metering, more heft (good for telephoto and other heavy lenses), dedicated buttons (e.g. ISO button), top LCD, better dust control, faster frame rate, etc. K-S2 for flippy screen (very handy for live view shooting above or below eye level), wi-fi, light wieght. The comparison would be closer with the K-70. For a 3 week vacation, the lighter weight, flippy screen and in-built flash of the K-70 might seem to give it an edge over the K-3ii - but remember that the weight advantage is diminished by needing to carry a couple of spare batteries for the K-70 because of the much lower capacity. Des: Thank you for the links. Great information! I decided that I'll like best the features of the K3-II .