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The new consumer dSLR offers a weather-resistant design, among other niceties.
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).
This looks like another great value from Pentax, with a lot of powerful features that similarly priced competitors lack for a relatively cheap price.
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 |