Last update 23 October’09 – Review @ GoodGearGuide
Pentax X70 announced on March 2, 2009 is an image stabilized 24x optical zoom(equiv.): 4.6-110.4mm (26-624mm) 12 megapixel ultra zoom digital camera that features 2.7 inch LCD, 11 frames per second continuous shooting, face detection, super macro mode, ISO high of ISO 3200-6400 5M, and camera dimensions are (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.
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Review Index – (updated 23 October’09)
GoodGearGuide
“Why does the X70 stand out? Its small size, low weight, 11 frames per second rapid-fire mode, and ease of use. It’s smaller and lighter than most every other camera in its class. Although I did feel its small size gave it a slightly fragile feel, it was cool being able to throw the camera into my backpack or sling it around my shoulder. Just make sure you purchase a backup rechargeable battery to pack along.”
Rating: 
PCW
“In operation the zoom travelled smoothly and speedily through its range, meaning it was hard to frame zoomed shots exactly. Still, pictures were sharply focused and colourful, despite occasional softness at maximum zoom and purple fringing visible in brighter scenes. It’s not perfect but Pentax’s X70 affords more creative possibilities than the standard snapper and is easy to use for anyone trading up from a pocket compact camera.”
Rating:
ITReviews
“The first dip into the ‘bridge’ camera water for Pentax has produced a surprisingly lightweight and feature-heavy DSLR-styled camera with high quality stills and an efficiently anti-blur 24x optical zoom, but disappointing HD movie results.”
Pocket-lint
“If it’s a camera that will slip into your top pocket or take slightly crisper images overall, then look elsewhere. But if a long lens is your chief concern, then the Pentax X70 offers an easy and affordable route to capturing candid, fly-on-the-wall style shots.”
Rating: 
PhotographyBlog
“There’s no doubting that having such an extensive lens reach at your disposal shoehorned into a relatively compact and lightweight chassis has its advantages. And once you’ve used the likes of Pentax X70 to achieve a wider range of compositions than you would normally with either a compact or standard lens kit DSLR, returning to either (with a typical 3x reach) feels like a step backwards.”
Rating:
Neocamera
“Overall, the Pentax X70 does well. Being happy with it means understanding its limitations but as an outdoor camera with an incredible reach, it is a good one. Add the occasional use of its HD video-recording feature to the mix and its versatility shines.”
CNET
“There’s no doubt that the Pentax X70’s lens is a lot of fun and other than the crippled HD movie capture and lack of a full-resolution burst mode, it has plenty of shooting options. If your photos are going to only be seen on a computer screen or made into 4×6-inch prints with an occasional 8×10, you’ll likely be more than satisfied with its photo quality, too. The laggy performance is the only other major issue, but again, if you’re shooting slow-moving or still subjects, even that’s not much of a hindrance.”
Rating: 
MacWorld
“What makes the Pentax X70 stand out? Its compact size, light weight, 11 fps rapid-fire mode, and terrific usability. The X70 is smaller and lighter than nearly every other camera in its class; depending on your hand size, that might be either good or bad. Although its diminutive size gives it a slightly fragile feel, it’s nice to be able to tuck the camera into a backpack or throw it over a shoulder and hardly know it’s there.”
Rating: 
PhotoReview
“Buy this camera if: – You’re looking for an ultra-zoom digicam with good wide-angle coverage, plenty of adjustable controls, in-camera editing and effective image stabilisation. – You want manual flash adjustment plus a good range of flash settings. – You want to shoot widescreen video for playback on an HD TV set. – You’d enjoy taking very close ‘macro’ shots.”
Rating:
PCWorld
“So what makes the X70 stand out? Its compact size, low weight, 11fps rapid-fire mode, and terrific usability. The Pentax X70 is smaller and lighter than nearly every other camera in its class–depending on your hand size, that might be either good or bad.”
Rating:
DCResource (As compared to the Kodak EasyShare Z980, Olympus SP-590UZ, Nikon P90)
“What I didn’t like: Redeye, LCD on the small side, poor battery life, no full resolution continuous shooting, slowest shutter speed 4 seconds, face detection worst in the group, choppy frame rate at highest movie resolution, no optical IS in movie mode, no diopter correction for EVF, dated menu system, plastic tripod mount, can’t access memory card while using tripod.”
Trusted Reviews
“The Pentax X70 is a good quality camera from one of the big names in the business, and is capable of producing good pictures over a huge zoom range thanks to an excellent image stabilisation system. It handles well, and is smaller and lighter than most of its competitors, however it has a serious problem with noise even at moderate ISO settings, and the limited battery duration is also a negative point.”
Rating:
Steve’s Digicams
“This is not only a easy to use digicam, but also a very capable photographic tool. The only issues I had with this model were the “wobbly” lens unit, uncomfortable EVF eye piece and the poor battery life. Those issues, aside, I feel the Pentax Optio X70 is a worthy competitor in the mega-zoom category, offering a good balance of features and performance in the sub US$400 price range.”
DigitalCameraReview
“Depending on your experience with photography and your budget, the X70 is a worthy competitor in the growing ultrazoom market, and after using quite a few over the years, this camera by far exceeds where the others have failed. If you have the dough to move up to DSLR photography, then by all means do it. Nothing beats a good DSLR. If you’re a dedicated shutterbug and want a camera with all the focal power you’ll ever need in one place, the X70 is your camera.”
ePhotozine
“For the first camera in the superzoom range, Pentax have done quite well. I think they’ve started as they mean to go on by putting one of the largest zooms available in the camera. A lot of the other features are found on basic compacts and I think are simply there to bulk the camera out and keep it uniform with the rest of the range.”
Rating:
CNET Video
]Sample Photos
[Sample Photos @ Pocket-lint]
[Image Quality Samples @ PhotographyBlog]
[Sample Photos @ Neocamera]
[ISO Performance Photos @ CNET]
[Sample Photos @ DCResource]
[ISO Performance Images @ Trusted Reviews]
[Sample Photos @ Steve's Digicams]
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Press Release
GOLDEN, CO. March 2, 2009: PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the PENTAX X70 Megazoom digital camera featuring a high magnification 24X optical zoom lens with wide-angle to super-telephoto coverage housed in a highly portable, compact, lightweight body. With 12 megapixels, SLR-like styling and flexible exposure modes, the PENTAX X70 is a true bridge between compact digital cameras and digital SLRs. The X70 is the ideal camera for the intermediate to advanced shooter who wants to step up in form and function from digital compact offerings without the size, weight, and expense of a true DSLR camera.
The X70 offers photographers the ease-of-use of a compact camera with powerful shooting options traditionally found on a DSLR, such as aperture/shutter priority and metered manual modes, true hardware sensor-movement Shake Reduction, fast operation, and a high quality zoom lens. This new model performs superbly and effortlessly in a variety of photographic situations from casual day-to-day snapshots to travel and sports photography.
Also announced is the smc PENTAX DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited ultra wide-angle lens for PENTAX Digital SLR Cameras. This latest model in PENTAX’s acclaimed Limited Lens series inherits all the attributes of this renowned product line including high quality image reproduction and high grade aluminum lens barrel finish, while providing users with a unique ultra wide-angle perspective. The lens will ship in April 2009 for $649.95 USD, while the PENTAX X70 will ship in April 2009 for $399.95 USD.
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 8×10, 11×17 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 848×480, 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.
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