• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 624.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax X70 advantages over Panasonic ZS40

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.53 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic ZS40 advantages over Pentax X70

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 624 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 170 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 99 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    12 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    240g vs 411g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SP-590UZ

Pentax X70
Olympus SP-590UZ
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Faster shutter
  • $450
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Longer exposure
Panasonic ZS40
Olympus SP-590UZ
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $450
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Nikon P90

Pentax X70
Nikon P90
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Faster shutter
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
Panasonic ZS40
Nikon P90
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Pentax X90

Pentax X70
Pentax X90
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
Panasonic ZS40
Pentax X90
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Canon SX700 HS

Pentax X70
Canon SX700 HS
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Panasonic ZS40
Canon SX700 HS
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster shutter

Compared to Panasonic ZS60

Pentax X70
Panasonic ZS60
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Panasonic ZS40
Panasonic ZS60
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
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