Pentax X70

"Small in stature. Big in power. The PENTAX X70 packs the capability and control of 12.0 megapixels and a 24X zoom lens into a convenient, compact build. It's the heart of a DSLR in the body of a compact camera. "

- Sony -

Versatile 24X optical Megazoom lens accommodates a range of subjects

Within a compact, lightweight body, the X70 features a high magnification optical 24X zoom lens offering a focal-length coverage between a wide-angle 26mm to a super telephoto 624mm (in the 35mm format). This is ideal for wide-angle scenic shots or group photos, as well as getting closer to the action at a sporting event. Coupled with the Intelligent Zoom function, the X70 zoom range may be extended to approximately 150 times (for a focal length of an astonishing approximately 3900mm in the 35mm format) without compromising the optical performance of the zoom lens.

High image quality

With 12.0 megapixels, a high-performance imaging engine, and the high quality PENTAX Megazoom lens, the X70 delivers super clear, high quality images in any shooting mode. Images at 12.0 megapixels are also suitable for printing at most large print sizes including 8x10, 11x17 and even larger poster size prints.

Large, easy-to-view 2.7 inch color LCD monitor

The PENTAX X70 features a large, bright 2.7 inch color LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots of resolution. An Anti-Reflection coating helps minimize glare from sunlight for more effective outdoor viewing. Also, the X70 comes with an electronic viewfinder for easy image composition and review in the brightest lighting conditions. You can also access the camera's menus and other functions via the electronic viewfinder, so you will always be able to change settings no matter how bright it is outdoors.

Compact, lightweight design

The compact, lightweight design of the X70, one of the smallest and lightest cameras in it's class, make it easy to transport and use. However, the small size does not mean features are compromised. The X70 includes a full range of automatic and manual features and functions.

Reliable Shake Reduction for sharp, blur-free images

The X70 incorporates an “image sensor shift” Shake Reduction system to assure sharply focused, blur-free images even under demanding photographic conditions such as when shooting at full telephoto or when shooting a sunset or indoor scenes with very low light. By accurately detecting the amount of camera shake using a high-performance gyro sensor and shifting the CCD image sensor vertically and horizontally at high speed, the X70 offers an outstanding camera-shake compensation effect, equivalent to approximately three shutter steps.

High-speed Continuous Shooting mode to capture the decisive moment

The X70 lets the photographer capture the subject continuously at a maximum speed of approximately 11 images per second and up to 21 images in succession. * Coupled with the Auto-Tracking AF mode that keeps a fast-moving subject in focus all the time, the X70 is sure to capture that once in a lifetime, decisive moment in sharp focus. The X70 is perfect for shooting sports action and active children and pets.

Fast Face Detection AF&AE captures up to 32 faces in focus in approx. 0.03 seconds

The X70 Face Detection function is effective for capturing casual snapshots of people by optimizing the focusing and exposure of up to 32 faces in a single image in approximately 0.03 seconds. The X70 also offers other user-friendly functions including Smile Capture which automatically releases the shutter the instant it detects the subject's smile, and Blink Detection which warns the photographer when the subject's eyes are closed at the moment of capture.

Movie capture in high-definition TV image quality with anti-shake protection

The X70 captures high quality movie clips, equivalent in image quality to that of high-definition TV (1280 x 720 pixels) at 15 frames per second. The X70 also features Movie SR mode, ** which effectively minimizes annoying camera shake during movie capture. The X70 can also record video at 848x480, VGA and QVGA resolutions at 30 frames per second, for full video capture flexibility. As a result, the photographer enjoys high-quality, blur-free movie shooting with minimal effort.

Multi-mode exposure system

The X70 offers a choice of four exposure modes: Programmed AE, in which the camera automatically selects the optimal combination of aperture and shutter speed for a given subject and Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE and full Metered Manual modes, in which photographers are free to select either (or both) aperture and shutter speed to suit their photographic needs.

Auto Picture mode for the automatic selection of seven different shooting modes

The X70 features the advanced PENTAX Auto Picture mode, which automatically selects the most appropriate shooting mode for a given subject or scene by detecting the subject's lighting, movement and other conditions. This user-friendly mode not only makes the right mode choice for the photographer (from Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, Night Scene Portrait, Flower, Sport and Standard modes), but also features an Auto Macro mode, which automatically switches the camera's focus range to macro in close-range applications.

Auto sensitivity control up to a high ISO of 6400

The X70 comes equipped with an Auto Sensitivity Control function, which automatically shifts the sensitivity level in relation to the subject's lighting condition and the lens focal-length setting. This allows the photographer to use a high shutter speed in dimly lit locations, such as night scenes or indoor sports events to effectively minimize camera shake and subject blur. The auto sensitivity control range can be set between ISO 50 and ISO 6400, and is range adjustable.

Additional Features

Image Format Choice proportions of 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 or 1:1.
Scene mode palette for easy selection from 20 scenes, including a new Baby mode for accurate exposure and skin tones when taking pictures of babies.
Overexposure compensation function to prevent blown out (or clipped) highlights.
A Super Macro mode may be used to shoot as close as 0.4 inches (one centimeter) away from a subject for stunning close-up details.
Digital Wide mode quickly stitches 2 images together for an extra wide-angle image (equivalent to 20mm in the 35mm format).
World time clock displays standard time in 75 cities in 28 time zones around the world for extra convenience when on the road.
Frame Composite mode (with 90 built-in image frames) offers fun and creative ways to style up your shots.
Approximately 33.6MB of built-in memory. Also compatible with SD and SDHC memory cards.
Red-eye reduction function corrects for red eyes as the result of flash photography. Red-eye reduction can be applied during capture, or as a post-capture filter.

* When the continuous-shooting mode is selected, the image size is fixed at 5M (2592 x 1944 pixels).
** When the Movie SR mode is selected, the angle of view becomes narrower than normal shooting.

More external Pentax X70 reviews!

Type: Megazoom Digital Camera

Sensor: Type: 1/2.33” interline transfer CCD w/ primary color filter. Effective pixels: 12.0. Total pixels: 12.7. Recorded resolutions
Still: 12M (4000x3000), 3:2 (4000x2672), 1:1 (2992x2992), 7M (3072x2304), 5M (2592x1944), 3M (2048x1536), 1024 (1024x768), VGA (640x480)
Movie: HD 720p15 (1280x720), 848 (848x480), VGA (640x480), QVGA (320x240)
Quality levels: ??? (best), ?? (better), ? (good)

LCD/Viewfinder: LCD screen: 2.7” TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
LCD resolution: 230,000 dots
Wide angle viewable: n/a
Optical viewfinder: YES, electronic, 200,000 dots

Flash: Type: Retractable popup series-control auto flash
Flash modes: Auto, flash on, flash off, redeye, slow sync, slow sync w/ redeye
Effective range: 29.9' (wide, auto ISO), 16.7' (tele, auto ISO)

Interfaces: Ports: USB 2.0 hi-speed, AV out, DC in
Video out: NTSC, PAL
Printer interfaces: n/a

Physical Specifications: Dimensions (W x H x D): 4.4 x 3.2 x 3.9”
Weight: Without battery or removable memory: 13.8 oz
Loaded and ready: 14.5 oz
Construction material(s): Polycarbonate
Operating temperature: 32-104°F

Language Support: English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek, Russian, Thai, Korean, Simplified/Traditional Chinese

Metering System: Type: TTL, Multi-segment: YES, Center weighted: YES, Spot: YES, Exposure compensation: +/- 2 EV (1/3 steps)

White Balance*: Auto preset modes: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent
Manual mode(s): YES

Capture Modes: Mode selection: Auto Picture (Standard, Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene Portrait, Night Scene, Sport, Flower), Sport, Digital SR (5M), Movie, User, Manual, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Program, Scene (Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Backlight, Half Length Portrait (3M), Night Scene, Night Scene Portrait, Stage Lighting, Surf & Snow, Baby, Kids, Pet, Food, Fireworks, Frame Composite (3M), Party, Museum, Sunset, Digital Wide (5M), Digital Panorama (2M per frame)), Green
Green simplified mode available: YES
Face recognition available: YES, up to 32 faces in 0.03s, Smile Capture, Blink Detection
P/A/S/M/B: P, A, S, M
Date stamp: YES, date, date-time, time (not available in Green mode)
Digital filters (capture): n/a
Dynamic Range Adjustment: n/a

Playback Modes: Mode selection: One Shot, Index (4 or 9 thumbnails), Magnification, Movie Playback, Sound Playback, Histogram, Folder, Select & Delete, Calendar
Mode pallet: Slideshow, Digital Filter, Frame Composite (3M), Resize, Cropping, Image & Sound Copy, Image Rotation, Movie Edit, Redeye Edit, Voice Memo, Protect, DPOF, Image Recovery, Startup Image, Face Zooming
Magnification: YES, up to 10X, scrollable
Digital filters (playback): B&W, Sepia, Color Filters (6), Color Extract (3), Soft, Fisheye (3 levels), Brightness
Movie edit: Save as Still Image, Movie Divide

Computer System Requirements: *For device connectivity. Bundled software requirements may vary.
Windows: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, USB port
Mac: MacOS-X 10.1.2-10.5, USB port

Colors Available: N/A

Lens: Type/construction: PENTAX zoom lens, 14 elements, 11 groups (4 aspherical elements)
Optical zoom: 24X
Focal length (equiv.): 4.6-110.4mm (26-624mm)
Digital zoom: 6.25X
Combined zoom: 150X
Intelligent zoom: Approx 31.3X at 7M to 150X at VGA
Aperture: F2.8-5.0

Focus System: Type: TTL contrast detection autofocus. Focus modes: 9 point AF, Spot AF, Auto Tracking AF, Macro, Super Macro, Infinity Landscape, AF Point Selection. Manual focus: YES, Macro focus: YES, Macro and Super Macro available, Focus lock: YES, by pressing the shutter release button half way
Focus range
Normal: 1.21' to infinity (wide), 5.6' to infinity (tele)
Macro: 0.33-1.64' (wide, mide zoom)
Super Macro: 0.03-0.98' (mid zoom)

Storage Media: Internal memory: 33.6 MB
Removable memory: SD, SDHC

Power Supply: Power source: Rechargeable Li-Ion battery D-LI92
Recordable images: Approx 170
Playback time: Approx 200 min
Movie recording time: Approx 70 min
Audio recording time: Approx TBD
AC adapter available: YES (optional)

Timing: Startup: 1.6 sec
Release lag: 0.031 sec

Image Stabilization: Still: Mechanical SR (sensor-shift), Digital SR (high ISO, 5M)
Movie: Movie SR

ISO Sensitivity: Auto: TBD-800, Digital SR ISO TBD-6400 (ISO 3200-6400, 5M)
Manual: TBD-6400 (ISO 3200-6400, 5M)

Shutter: Type: Programmed AE electronic lens shutter with CCD electronic shutter
Shutter speed: 1/4000 to 1/4 sec (up to 4 sec in Tv, Av, M, and Night Scene modes)

Drive Modes: Mode selection: One Shot, Continuous (L, M, H), Self Timer, Interval, Auto Bracket
Continuous FPS: 11 FPS for 21 frames (H), 6.3 FPS for 7 frames (M), 4 FPS for 7 frames (L)
Self-timer: YES (10s, 2s)
Remote control: n/a

File Formats: Still: JPG (EXIF 2.2), DCF 2.0 (design rule for camera file system), DPOF, Print Image Matching III
Movie: AVI (Motion JPG) with sound
Sound: WAV (PCM), monaural