Fujifilm X-A5 vs Pentax K-70

The Fujifilm X-A5 and the Pentax K-70 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in January 2018 and June 2016. The X-A5 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the K-70 is a DSLR. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 24 megapixels.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

	VS
Fujifilm X-A5		Pentax K-70
Mirrorless system camera		Digital single lens reflex
Fujifilm X mount lenses		Pentax K mount lenses
24 MP, APS-C Sensor		24 MP, APS-C Sensor
4K/15p Video		1080/60i Video
ISO 200-12800 (200-51200)		ISO 100-102400
No viewfinder, LCD framing		Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD, 1040k dots		3.0" LCD, 921k dots
Tilting touchscreen		Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive)
6 shutter flaps per second		6 shutter flaps per second
Lens stabilization only		In-body stabilization
Not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
450 shots per battery charge		410 shots per battery charge
117 x 68 x 40 mm, 361 g		126 x 93 x 74 mm, 688 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm X-A5 and the Pentax K-70? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Fujifilm X-A5 and the Pentax K-70. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The X-A5 can be obtained in three different colors (silver, brown, pink), while the K-70 is available in two color-versions (black, silver).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Pentax K-70 is considerably larger (47 percent) than the Fujifilm X-A5. Moreover, the K-70 is substantially heavier (91 percent) than the X-A5. It is noteworthy in this context that the K-70 is splash and dust-proof, while the X-A5 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the X-A5 gets 450 shots out of its NP-W126S battery, while the K-70 can take 410 images on a single charge of its D-LI109 power pack. The power pack in the X-A5 can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, just click on the right or left arrow next to the camera that you would like to inspect. Alternatively, you can also use the CAM-parator to select your camera combination among a larger number of options.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Fujifilm X-A5»	4.6 in	2.7 in	1.6 in	12.7 oz	450	n	Jan 2018	399		Fujifilm X-A5
	Pentax K-70«	5.0 in	3.7 in	2.9 in	24.3 oz	410	Y	Jun 2016	649		Pentax K-70
	Fujifilm X-T200« »	4.8 in	3.3 in	2.2 in	13.1 oz	270	n	Jan 2020	699		Fujifilm X-T200
	Fujifilm X-T30« »	4.6 in	3.3 in	1.9 in	13.5 oz	380	n	Feb 2019	899		Fujifilm X-T30
	Fujifilm X-A7« »	4.7 in	2.7 in	1.6 in	11.3 oz	440	n	Sep 2019	499		Fujifilm X-A7
	Fujifilm X-T100« »	4.8 in	3.3 in	1.9 in	15.8 oz	430	n	May 2018	599		Fujifilm X-T100
	Fujifilm X-E3« »	4.8 in	2.9 in	1.7 in	11.9 oz	350	n	Sep 2017	899		Fujifilm X-E3
	Fujifilm X-T20« »	4.6 in	3.3 in	1.6 in	13.5 oz	350	n	Jan 2017	899		Fujifilm X-T20
	Fujifilm X-A3« »	4.6 in	2.6 in	1.6 in	12.0 oz	410	n	Aug 2016	399		Fujifilm X-A3
	Fujifilm X-A10« »	4.6 in	2.6 in	1.6 in	11.7 oz	410	n	Dec 2016	399		Fujifilm X-A10
	Fujifilm X-A2« »	4.6 in	2.6 in	1.6 in	12.3 oz	410	n	Jan 2015	399		Fujifilm X-A2
	Nikon D3500« »	4.9 in	3.8 in	2.8 in	12.9 oz	1550	n	Aug 2018	429		Nikon D3500
	Pentax KP« »	5.2 in	4.0 in	3.0 in	24.8 oz	390	Y	Jan 2017	1,099		Pentax KP
	Pentax K-3 II« »	5.2 in	3.9 in	3.0 in	28.2 oz	720	Y	Apr 2015	1,099		Pentax K-3 II
	Pentax K-3« »	5.2 in	3.9 in	3.0 in	28.2 oz	560	Y	Oct 2013	1,299		Pentax K-3
	Pentax K-5« »	5.2 in	3.8 in	2.9 in	26.8 oz	740	Y	Sep 2010	1,099		Pentax K-5
	Sony A68« »	5.6 in	4.1 in	3.2 in	21.5 oz	540	n	Nov 2015	699		Sony A68
Convert to Metric
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The X-A5 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 39 percent) than the K-70, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the K-70 is 1 percent smaller. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Even though the X-A5 has a slightly larger sensor, both cameras offer the same resolution of 24 megapixels. This implies that the X-A5 has a lower pixel density and larger individual pixels (with a pixel pitch of 3.92μm versus 3.91μm for the K-70), which gives it a potential advantage in terms of light gathering capacity. In addition, the X-A5 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 7 months) than the K-70, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the K-70 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The K-70 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

Unlike the X-A5, the K-70 has the capacity to capture high quality composite images by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Fujifilm X-A5 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 200-51200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Pentax K-70 are ISO 100 to ISO 102400 (no boost).

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the X-A5 provides a higher video resolution than the K-70. It can shoot video footage at 4K/15p, while the Pentax is limited to 1080/60i.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the K-70 has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the X-A5 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Fujifilm X-A5 and Pentax K-70 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The X-A5 has a touchscreen, while the K-70 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the X-A5 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Fujifilm X-A5 and the Pentax K-70 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the X-A5 and the K-70 write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Fujifilm X-A5 and Pentax K-70 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

The K-70 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Pentax. In contrast, the X-A5 has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). There has not been a direct replacement model for the X-A5 from Fujifilm. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Fujifilm and Pentax websites.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Fujifilm X-A5 or the Pentax K-70 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Advantages of the Fujifilm X-A5:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/15p vs 1080/60i).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 921k dots).
• Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• More compact: Is smaller (117x68mm vs 126x93mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 327g or 48 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (39 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 7 months after the K-70).

Reasons to prefer the Pentax K-70:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/6000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in June 2016).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the X-A5 emerges as the winner of the contest (11 : 9 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Fujifilm X-A5 and the Pentax K-70 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the X-A5 and the K-70 in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Review Scores

	Camera Model	cam era   labs	dp re   view	e photo   zine	ima ging resource	photo graphy   blog	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Fujifilm X-A5	+	..	4/5	4/5	3.5/5	Jan 2018	399		Fujifilm X-A5
	Pentax K-70	..	79/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jun 2016	649		Pentax K-70
	Fujifilm X-T200	..	82/100	4/5	..	4.5/5	Jan 2020	699		Fujifilm X-T200
	Fujifilm X-T30	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2019	899		Fujifilm X-T30
	Fujifilm X-A7	..	81/100	4/5	..	3.5/5	Sep 2019	499		Fujifilm X-A7
	Fujifilm X-T100	+	79/100	4/5	..	4.5/5	May 2018	599		Fujifilm X-T100
	Fujifilm X-E3	+	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2017	899		Fujifilm X-E3
	Fujifilm X-T20	+ +	82/100	5/5	..	4.5/5	Jan 2017	899		Fujifilm X-T20
	Fujifilm X-A3	..	74/100	4.5/5	..	4/5	Aug 2016	399		Fujifilm X-A3
	Fujifilm X-A10	..	..	4/5	..	4/5	Dec 2016	399		Fujifilm X-A10
	Fujifilm X-A2	..	..	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2015	399		Fujifilm X-A2
	Nikon D3500	..	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2018	429		Nikon D3500
	Pentax KP	..	82/100	5/5	..	4.5/5	Jan 2017	1,099		Pentax KP
	Pentax K-3 II	..	..	5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Apr 2015	1,099		Pentax K-3 II
	Pentax K-3	..	83/100	5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Oct 2013	1,299		Pentax K-3
	Pentax K-5	..	83/100	5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2010	1,099		Pentax K-5
	Sony A68	..	..	4/5	..	4/5	Nov 2015	699		Sony A68
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

Specifications: Fujifilm X-A5 vs Pentax K-70

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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