• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 21.00mm - 1365.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax K-3 II advantages over Canon SX70

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.91 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 720 vs 325 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Thinner
    77 mm vs 116 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.4 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX70 advantages over Pentax K-3 II

  • Less expensive
    $599 vs $830
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/180 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    5 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 8.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Top-notch image quality; Spectacular detail from Pixel Shift Resolution; Better performance than K-3; Geotag images with no accessories; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Clever on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots

  • No built-in flash strobe; No wireless flash support out of the box; AstroTracer function can be finicky; AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a prosumer DSLR; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors

The Competition

Compared to Canon SX60

Pentax K-3 II
Canon SX60
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon SX70
Canon SX60
  • $636
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compared to Canon T6i

Pentax K-3 II
Canon T6i
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon SX70
Canon T6i
  • $636
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon B700

Pentax K-3 II
Nikon B700
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon SX70
Nikon B700
  • $636
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • External Mic Jack
  • Newer
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compared to Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 II
Pentax KP
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Canon SX70
Pentax KP
  • $636
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon T7i

Pentax K-3 II
Canon T7i
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Canon SX70
Canon T7i
  • $636
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
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