Both Nikon D5500 and Pentax K-70 have APS-C sized 24.0 MP resolution sensors so sensor size and resolution is not a differentiator between these two cameras.
Another similarity between these two cameras is that both Pentax K-70 and Nikon D5500 sensors lack anti-alias (Low-Pass) filters. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moiré occurring in certain scenes.
Below you can see the D5500 and K-70 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon D5500 and Pentax K-70 Cameras
Nikon D5500 and Pentax K-70 have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Nikon D5500
or the
Pentax K-70 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
