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Sony A7R III vs Pentax X70 Comparison

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Sony A7R III

42 MP | Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

Sony A7R III
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Pentax X70

12 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CCD Sensor

Pentax X70
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Sony A7R III vs Pentax X70 Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two cameras with different body types: Sony A7R III, which was introduced in October 2017 is a Pro Mirrorless camera with a 42.0MP Full frame sensor whereas Pentax X70, which was introduced in March 2009 is a Small Sensor Superzoom camera with a 12.0MP 1/2.3-inch sensor. As you can see, X70 is 8 years older than A7R III. Let's see if this age difference between two cameras makes a big difference.

Comparing an interchangeble lens camera to a fixed lens camera is a bit tricky but we will do our best to make this a fair comparison.

Here is a brief look at the main features of Sony A7R III and Pentax X70 before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Sony A7R III Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2017-10-25
  • 42MP - Full frame BSI-CMOS Sensor
  • No Anti-aliasing (AA) filter
  • ISO 100 - 32000 ( expands to 50 - 102400)
  • Sony E Mount
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3.00" Tilting Screen
  • 3686k dot Electronic viewfinder
  • 10.0fps continuous shooting
  • 4K (UHD) - 3840 x 2160 video resolution
  • Built-in Wireless
  • 657g. 127 x 96 x 74 mm
  • Weather Sealed Body
  • Replaced Sony Alpha A7R II Compare

Pentax X70 Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2009-03-02
  • 12MP - 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
  • ISO 50 - 6400
  • 26-624 mm F2.8-5.0 Zoom Lens
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 2.70" Fixed Type Screen
  • Electronic viewfinder
  • fps continuous shooting
  • HD - 1280 x 720 video resolution
  • 410g. 110 x 83 x 90 mm

Sony A7R III was replaced by Sony Alpha A7R IV. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Sony Alpha A7R IV vs Sony Alpha A7R III
Sony Alpha A7R IV vs Pentax X70

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Sony A7R III and Pentax X70 compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.


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**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reasons to choose Sony Alpha A7R III over Pentax X70
Wireless Connection
Built-In vs None Better connectivity
LCD Screen
Tilting vs Fixed Type Flexible shooting positions
External Flash Shoe
Yes vs No Better for flash photography
Touch Screen
Yes vs No Easy control of camera functions
RAW Support
Yes vs No Better image quality
Face Detection Focus
Yes vs No very handy for portraits
Max Sensor Resolution
42 MP vs 12 MP 250% more pixels
Max ISO
32.000 vs 6.400 400% higher Max ISO
Number of Focus Points
425 vs 9 416 more focus points
LCD Screen Size
3″ vs 2.7" 0.3 inches larger display
LCD Screen Resolution
1.440k dots vs 230k dots 526% higher resolution screen
Max Mech. Shutter
1/8000s vs 1/4000s faster mechanical shutter
Microphone Port
Yes vs No High quality audio recording option
Headphone Port
Yes vs No better video control
Environmental Sealing
Yes vs No shoot at tough conditions
Timelapse Recording
Yes vs No creative shooting
Sensor Pixel Area
20.43µm2 vs 2.34µm2 773% larger pixel area
Max Video Resolution
3840 x 2160 vs 1280 x 720 Higher Resolution Video
AE Bracketing
Yes vs No Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR
Flash Sync Port
Yes vs No Connect off-camera flash
NFC Connection
Yes vs No Easy wireless connectivity with compatible devices
Pixel Shift High-Res Mode
Yes (169. 6) vs No Increased resolution with pixel shift
Bluetooth
Yes vs No Connect your camera to other devices via Blueetooth
Storage Slot
2 vs 1 Extra storage slot
Smartphone Remote
Yes vs No Remote control your camera with a smartphone
Autofocus at f/8 aperture
425 points vs none Autofocus with teleconverters
UHS Card Support
UHS-II vs none Read/Write in High Speeds
Animal Eye AF Tracking
Yes vs No Easily lock and track focus on animals
Webcam Function
Yes vs No Use your camera as a Webcam
Anti Flicker
Yes vs No Reduced uneven color and exposure under flickering light
Eye Tracking Focus
Yes vs No Autofocus system locks on the eye and tracks the subject
CHECK A7R III PRICE


Reasons to choose Pentax X70 over Sony Alpha A7R III
Built-in Flash
Yes vs No Useful in low-light
Weight
410 g vs 657 g 247 g lighter
CHECK X70 PRICE

Common Strengths of Sony Alpha A7R III and Pentax X70
Image Stabilization
Sensor-shift vs Sensor-shift Sharper images at longer focal lengths and long exposures
Viewfinder
Yes (Electronic) vs Yes (Electronic) Better framing and control
Common Weaknesses of Sony Alpha A7R III and Pentax X70
LCD Screen Size
2.70" vs 2.70" Small display
Sony A7R III vs Pentax X70: Physical Specs and Body features Comparison

Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, We are going to illustrate Sony A7R III and Pentax X70 side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Sony A7R III has external dimensions of 127 x 96 x 74 mm (5 x 3.78 x 2.91″) and weighs 657 g (1.45 lb / 23.17 oz) (including batteries). Pentax X70 has external dimensions of 110 x 83 x 90 mm (4.33 x 3.27 x 3.54″) and weighs 410 g (0.90 lb / 14.46 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Sony A7R III and Pentax X70. Pentax X70 is 17mm narrower and 13mm shorter than Sony A7R III but it is also 16mm thicker. As you can tell, actually this is not a fair size comparison since Pentax X70 has a built-in lens but Sony A7R III doesn't. Once you put a lens on A7R III, its thickness will increase significantly.

Sony A7R III vs Pentax X70 Camera Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Sony A7R III and Pentax X70 Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Here is the back view size comparison of Sony A7R III and Pentax X70.

Sony A7R III vs Pentax X70 Camera Size Comparison - Back View
Comparison image of Sony A7R III and Pentax X70 Size and Weight - Back View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Sony A7R III and Pentax X70.
Sony A7R III vs Pentax X70 Camera Size Comparison - Top View
Top View Comparison image of Sony A7R III and Pentax X70 Size

Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Pentax X70 is significantly lighter (247g ) than the Sony A7R III which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.

Again, this comparison may not be very useful in real life as we are comparing the weight of a camera with a built-in lens to the body-only weight of an interchangeable lens camera. Once you put a lens on A7R III, the total kit will weigh much higher.

Weather Sealing

With its weather sealed body, we believe that A7R III has a big advantage over X70 which doesn't provide any kind of environmental sealing.

LCD Screen Size and Features

Sony A7R III's 3.00" LCD screen is slightly larger than Pentax X70's 2.7" screen.

In addition to the size advantage, Sony A7R III LCD screen also has a Tilting feature where you can change the angle of the screen to make it easier to shoot from waist or over the head levels. On the other hand, Pentax X70 has a fixed type screen which provides less flexibility in shooting positions compared to A7R III.
Sony A7R III vs Pentax X70: Sensor Comparison

Sony A7R III has a 42.0MP Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features Bionz X processor. On the other hand, Pentax X70 has a 12.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CCD sensor .

Sony A7R III's sensor provides 30MP more than Pentax X70's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely. On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.

Another difference between these two cameras is that Sony A7R III's sensor lacks anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moire occurring in certain scenes.

Below you can see the A7R III and X70 sensor size comparison.

Sony A7R III vs Pentax X70 Sensor Size Comparison
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Sony A7R III and Pentax X70 Cameras


As seen above, Sony A7R III has a 30.7x Larger sensor area than Pentax X70. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.

What types of Photography are Sony A7R III and Pentax X70 Good for?
In this section, we rank and compare Sony A7R III and Pentax X70 for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Sony A7R III for Portrait Photography

GOOD

Pentax X70 for Portrait Photography

AVERAGE
Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 42.0MP
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
Read the details

Sony A7R III for Street Photography

EXCELLENT

Pentax X70 for Street Photography

GOOD
Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Tilting LCD Screen
Medium sized Body
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Live-view
Fast Lens at Wide: f2.80
26 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Medium sized Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details

Sony A7R III for Sports Photography

GOOD

Pentax X70 for Sports Photography

AVERAGE
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Fast Continuous Shooting: 10.0fps
Anti Flicker feature
Environmental Sealings
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/8000s
425 Focus Points
Good Battery Life: 650 shots
Good Low Light ISO
Wireless Connection
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/4000s
624 mm Tele Lens
Average Ergonomics&Handling
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
Environmental Sealings
9 Focus Points
Read the details

Sony A7R III for Daily Photography

EXCELLENT

Pentax X70 for Daily Photography

AVERAGE
Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
Anti Flicker feature
Environmental Sealings
Medium size Body
657g
Body Thickness 74mm
Read the details
24.0X Optical Zoom
Medium size Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
410g
Body Thickness 90mm
Read the details

Sony A7R III for Landscape Photography

GOOD

Pentax X70 for Landscape Photography

POOR
Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 42.0MP
Environmental Sealings
Live-view
Read the details
26 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Sony A7R III vs Pentax X70: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Sony A7R III and Pentax X70, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 69 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Sony A7R III and Pentax X70 scores compare:

Sony A7R III
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #11 out of 101 in SLR-style mirrorless cameras
Ranked #11 out of 1243 in all Cameras
Pentax X70
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #93 out of 113 in SLR-like (bridge) cameras
Ranked #763 out of 1243 in all Cameras

Sony A7R III is the overall winner of this comparison. It has a higher Overall Score and beats Pentax X70 in all criteria except one: Portability. But the size difference between these cameras are negligible in real world so it is not a big disadvantage for Sony A7R III.

Sony A7R III
Sony A7R III
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Pentax X70
Pentax X70
CHECK PRICE

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Pentax X70 vs Sony A7R III Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Sony Alpha A7R III Pentax X70
Brand Sony Pentax
Announced 2017-10-25 2009-03-02
Body Type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor
Type BSI-CMOS CCD
Size Full frame 1/2.3-inch
Dimensions 35.9 x 24 mm 6.17 x 4.55 mm
Area 861.60mm2 28.07mm2
Megapixels 42 megapixels 12 megapixels
Max Resolution 7952 x 5304 4000 x 3000
Max Native Light sensitivity 32,000 ISO 6,400 ISO
Max Boosted Light Sensitivity 102400 ISO -
Min Native Light sensitivity 100 ISO 50 ISO
Min Boosted Light Sensitivity 50 ISO -
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points 425 9
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount Sony E fixed lens
Lens Focal Range no lens 26-624 mm (24×)
Max Aperture no lens F2.8-5.0
Macro Focus Range no lens 10cm
Screen
Type Tilting Fixed type
Size 3.00" 2.70"
Resolution 1,440k dots 230k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Resolution 3,686k dots n/a
Viewfinder Coverage 100% n/a
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x n/a
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter 1/8000s 1/4000s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Built-in Image Stabilization Sensor-shift Sensor-shift
Built-in Flash
Flash Range no built-in flash 9.10 m
External Flash
Continuous Shooting 10.0 fps n/a
Multi-Segment Metering
Average Metering
Spot Metering
Partial Metering
AF-Area Metering
Center Weighted Metering
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution 3840 x 2160 1280 x 720
Video Formats MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S Motion JPEG
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity Built-In None
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight 657g 410g
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 74mm 110 x 83 x 90mm
Battery Life 650 shots n/a
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS None None
DxO Sensor Scores
DxO Overall Score 100 not tested
DxO Color Depth 26.0 not tested
DxO Dynamic Range 14.7 not tested
DxO Low Light ISO 3523 not tested
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