Pentax K-70 Hands-On Field Test

Pentax have been impressing us with their high end cameras like the 645Z and K-1, but their entry level lines haven't wowed us in a while. The new K-70 has features borrowed from those higher end cameras, but with a killer price point. Is this the best budget DSLR out there? We take a look.

Shot and edited by Jordan Drake
Shot on the Sony FS5

[eldritchshiner]

As an owner of 11 Pentax cameras (and counting), I invariably find your reviews to be very fair, upbeat, informative, and entertaining. Great job! Looking forward to a KP review... just ordered one... :/

[ronniemaclellan]

I'm a Pentaxian and do appreciate your reviews, always watch/listen to them with interest. Like most Pentaxians I know, I'm a pretty calm chap. Your views do influence me, and were instrumental in directing me to the K-S2, and before that the K-3 (although I settled for the K-3 II). In time I will get the K-1, and at least in part because your review with Nick Devlin was persuasive. No, angry I aint.

I do also enjoy the Northrup's reviews and have not posted angry comments on either of your sites, even though I did offer polite corrections to TN on matters that were not quite factual. A number of reviewers recently did disappoint; Photouniverse (the Trump admirer), and recent Pentax reviewers on DigitalRev. I simply posted a note to say I would not be returning.

Anyway, the point I am trying to make is that most of us Pentaxians might not comment but are happy with the videos you make. Don't let a small number of trolls colour your impressions to much.

Keep up the good work, and thank you for covering Pentax, it's appreciated.

[zvonimirtosic]

Came to Pentax from the Leica M; the Autofocus is lightning fast!
Jokes aside, on Pentax DSLRs, a super-bright full view pentaprism allows smooth manual focusing, a feature that on other DSLRs is destroyed because too much emphasis is given on the AF, and the idea that a camera computer must take all control from the user. Because they rely on AF alone, other manufacturers mostly provide small and dull viewfinders. The viewing experience and the overall control over camera cannot compare to the Pentax experience.

Pentax DSLR = users have a total control, camera compatible with all lenses ever made.
Canon and Nikon DSLR = camera computer takes all control. Use Autofocus or go bust. User is treated like a noob. User must buy latest lenses for best results.

[speterlewis]

As a 40-year Pentaxian, and a working pro for over 30 years, I appreciated your balanced review of the K-70. I have one and am very pleased (and I can live with the limitations because I mostly shoot landscapes, nature studies, lifestyle, and product shots, not fast-action sports). The one thing that I found absolutely hysterical, however, was your description of the K-70 grip as being really big. I have small hands, and my very first impression, right out of the box, was that the grip must have been designed for toddlers. It felt so small in my little hands that I thought "I'm going to have to be really careful or I'm going to drop this thing, " ....for exactly the opposite reason that you feared you might drop it. I wish the camera was bigger, and I wish the grip was much bigger! Anyway, thanks again for the great review. Pentax makes very good (if slightly weird) cameras, and I think you nailed the good and not-so-good points perfectly.

[rosswaugh]

Another good honest Pentax review. Thanks guys, as a Pentax user I appreciate that you even do these reviews, and that you express your opinions fairly.

[DigitalImageStudio]

LOL, you guys do a really fair and honest job reviewing Pentax kit, keep it up and try to ignore the rampant fanboys (Pentax user since the 80's). PS I agree the K3II is now out to pasture.

[IchiharaAsako]

I'm a Pentaxian, and I always love your reviews. You're honest and tell it how it is. We all know (maybe some are in denial?) that Pentax has very poor video support, and its AF is sub-par. The image quality is what they focus on and what we should be buying the camera for. I'm still using a rather dated K-r, but this may be what I finally upgrade to. I was considering the K3, but this is cheaper and will do me just fine.

[MJCMedia]

You are NOT an AH, you work very hard at what you do, and it's appreciated. But there are more of us shooting sports with Pentax than you think. I shoot for newspapers here in the Boston area, and I shoot high school sports regularly with my K-3s, and just used my K-1 for the first time on basketball. I will will admit to having to work harder with Pentax, but the reward makes it worth it.

[Emma-zkit]

Three years later, I still love this camera. It is cheaper than the KP and has most of the features. Looking forward for the new aps-c next year.

[JacquesGaines]

When you explained the photo of the businessman you must never ever forget the word "juxtaposed" in that said explanation. Such a beautiful artistc vision you have Chris!

[mickeli]

K-70 is more then awsome. An Aps C DSLR camera, more or less same size as an Micro 4/3 Panasonic G80. Rugged like a tank, I live the North of Scandinavia, were temps can go down below -20 c for days and weeks, the K-70 just keeeps goin. I'm actully amazed, from indoors temp out to - 15 below C, and I do not need to worrie about if the K-70 will work, it just do. The pentaprisma is beutiful, battery? No problems, just make sure to turn of the screen and a full day of shooting in -15C temp, will be fine. It just keeps on goin.
Rain and your our for hike or fishing? No problems. Drop it on a rock? (it will just bounce of) No problems.
It amazes me, that the modern photo community, cant see that a camera is a tool, ment to used and somewhat abused.
Add a few limited primes, like 21mm and 35mm macro and last 77 mm, they all can go in pockets, or a small backpack, and still plenty room for food an water, for a full day of hiking.
And as we all know, the Raw files are just amazing, even the very novice can edit them, with out ruin it.

[gumballer]

Yeah I'm a pentax fanboy and you guys have done a solid job of reviewing pentax cameras objectively. I use a k-50 and love it for what i need ( i live and travel throughout south east asia (rainy season is awful) weather sealing and ruggedness is much more important to me than AF speed or video. hoping i can upgrade to a k-70 soon!

[CyclingOffToSomewhereIDK]

I forgot to LIKE this 5-6 years ago when I was looking at the K70. NOW I'm finally getting Pentax branded glass..the 18-135 WR that you use for a lot of this video. Good stuff, thanks way after the fact lol

[andyhoov]

When I first saw the specs and price of this camera I was legitimately shocked. Yeah, you're missing out on AF performance and video quality, but I think the lower price more than makes up for that. The fact that you also get IBIS and IQ that either matches or beats everything else in its class doesn't hurt either.

[timur]

Switched over to Pentax system, couldn't resist the K-1, and I was thinking to upgrade to a ff sensor for a while. Couldn't be happier, such an amazing camera! Loved your review of it, was one of the big influences on me buying the K-1 (that, and a ton of research lol). Hope Pentax will get more users, and more glass next year)

[Ikkokanal]

As a Pentaxian I have to say that you are doing a great job reviewing Pentax cameras! However, the camera bag.... No! ;-)

[marike]

The K-70 has focus peaking, meaning it's a great choice for older glass or the excellent Samyang fast primes. Sadly none of the Canikons that I know of have peaking, which is kind of nuts considering all of the great AI Nikkors selling for next to nothing on the auction sites.

[dracphelan]

I loved the review. I'm seriously considering switching to Pentax. I don't do a lot of action shots. I do landscapes and a lot of products shots. The pixel shift would be great for this. And, thanks to focus peaking, I could use my old film Pentax lenses until I built up my stable of autofocus lenses. I wish all camera manufacturers included focus peaking on their cameras.

[jasonyuen]

Pentaxian applauses!
It's really a camera with wonderful unique Pentax features, Pixel Shift from its higher class camera, for example. But it's still considered as an entry level camera. How aggressive to the market!
I notice the great progress of viewfinder autofocus (especially tracking ability) seen from the video. This is incredible since it means the smaller lag of tracking between Pentax and other brands. Though it takes time to catch on, Pentax s now keeping forward. It's impressive from a Pentax user!
I do hope Pentax continues their brilliant track and the market will surprise for it.

[Orion]

THANKS for keep reviewing Pentax cameras. I think you do a great Job. Once again a nice true review without the "brand ass kissing" that other reviewers do. This is the opinion of a pentax user that doesnt have a ego of a 6 years old.