Pentax adds an affordable, weather-resistant dSLR model to its enthusiast lineup, the K-70. In many ways it's essentially the less power-user-focused K-S2, but with a design that targets gloved-hand operation and with an updated autofocus system.
It's slated to ship in July for a body-only price of $650. UK and Australian prices aren't yet available, but that directly converts to £445 and AU$863.
Though it's not a kit, Pentax also announced an updated version of its 55-300mm lens intended for the K-70 photographer, the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE. It adds a direct-driving motor for faster operation (Pulse Motor), an electromagnetic diaphragm for smoother exposure changes during video, its HD coating to reduce flare and a more compact, water-resistant and lightweight design. It's also scheduled to ship in July for $400 (directly converted, £275 and AU$533).
What's new
- Hybrid autofocus. One of Pentax's weak areas has been its Live View autofocus -- the contrast autofocus that makes it possible to focus when shooting via the back LCD rather than the optical viewfinder. Although the company didn't share any details, the new autofocus should make it possible to perform continuous autofocus while shooting video. It also is rated for being able to focus in much lower levels of light than before.
- Image processor. The new version of Pentax's PRIME MII processor adds a stop of sensitivity -- I believe it's the first inexpensive dSLR to reach a maximum ISO sensitivity of ISO 102400 -- plus a mode optimized for night and astrophotography that reduces the impact of ambient light.
My take
This looks like another great value from Pentax, with a lot of powerful features that similarly priced competitors lack for a relatively cheap price.
Comparative specs
| Canon EOS Rebel T5i EOS 700D | Nikon D5500 | Pentax K-S2 | Pentax K-70 | |
| Sensor effective resolution | 18MP CMOS | 24.2MP CMOS | 20.1MP CMOS | 24.2MP CMOS |
| Sensor size | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 23.5 x 15.6 mm | 23.5 x 15.6 mm | 23.5x15.6 |
| Focal-length multiplier | 1.6x | 1.5x | 1.5x | 1.5x |
| OLPF | Yes | No | No | No |
| Sensitivity range | ISO 100 - ISO 12800/25600 (exp) | ISO 100 - ISO 25600 | ISO 100 - ISO 51200 | ISO 100 - ISO 102400 |
| Burst shooting | 5fps 6 raw/22 JPEG (without continuous AF and IS off) | 5fps 100 JPEG/raw n/a | 5.5fps 30 JPEG/9 raw (with focus fixed on first frame) | 6fps 40 JPEG/10 raw |
| Viewfinder (mag/effective mag) | Optical 95% coverage 0.85x/0.53x | Optical 95% coverage 0.82x/0.55x | Optical 100% coverage 0.95x/0.63x | Optical 100% coverage 0.95x/0.63x |
| Hot Shoe | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus | 9-pt AF center cross-type | 39-pt AF 9 cross- type | 11 pt AF 9 cross type hybrid phase- and contrast-detection (SAFOX X) | 11 pt AF 9 cross type (SAFOX X) |
| AF sensitivity | -0.5 - 18 EV | -1 to 19 EV | - 3 - 18 EV | - 3 - 18 EV |
| Shutter speed | 1/4,000 to 60 secs; bulb; 1/200 sec x-sync | 1/4,000 to 30 secs; bulb; 1/200 sec x-sync | 1/6000 to 30 seconds; bulb; 1/180 x-sync | 1/6000 to 30 seconds; bulb to 20 minutes; 1/180 x-sync |
| Metering | 63 zones | 2,016-pixel 3D color matrix metering II | 77 segment | 77 segment |
| Metering sensitivity | 1 - 20 EV | -1 - 19 EV | 0 to 22 EV | 0 to 22 EV |
| Best video | H.264 QuickTime MOV 1080/30p, 25p, 24p; 720/60p | H.264 QuickTime MOV 1080/60p, 25p, 24p | H.264 QuickTime MOV 1080/30p, 24p, 25p; 720/50p, 60p | H.264 QuickTime MOV 1080/30p, 24p, 25p; 720/50p, 60p |
| Audio | Stereo, mic input | Stereo, mic input | Stereo | Stereo, mic input |
| Manual aperture and shutter in video | Yes | Yes | Aperture only | n/a |
| Maximum best-quality recording time | 4GB | 20 minutes/29m59s | 4GB/25m | 4GB/25m |
| Clean HDMI out | No | Yes | n/a | n/a |
| IS | Optical | Optical | Sensor shift | Sensor shift |
| LCD | 3 in/7.7 cm Articulated touchscreen 1.04m dots | 3.2 in/8.2 cm Articulated touch screen 1.04m dots | 3 in/7.7 cm Articulated 921,000 dots | 3 inches/7.7 cm Articulated 921,000 dots |
| Memory slots | 1 x SDXC | 1 x SDXC | 1 x SDXC | 1 x SDXC |
| Wireless connection | No | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi, NFC | Wi-Fi |
| Flash | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless flash | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Battery life (CIPA rating) | 440 shots (VF); 180 shots (LV) | 820 shots (1,230 mAh) | 410 shots (1,050 mAh) | 410 shots (1,050 mAh) |
| Size (WHD) | 5.2 x 3.9 x 3.1 in 150 x 99 x 79 mm | 4.9 x 3.9 x 2.8 in 124 x 97 x 70 mm | 4.4 x 3.6 x 2.9 in 123 x 91 x 73 mm | 5.0 x 3.7 x 2.9 in 126 x 93 x 74 mm |
| Body operating weight | 20.8 oz 589.7 g | 16.8 oz 476 g | 24 oz 680 g | 24.3 oz (est.) 688 g (est.) |
| Mfr. price (body only) | $650 £420 AU$720 | $700 £580 AU$850 (est.) | $530 £550 AU$1,020 | $650 |
| Release date | April 2013 | February 2015 | March 2015 | July 2016 |
