Pentax
K-1 Mark II
36MP full-frame DSLR with IBIS and rugged build.
$1,999
Released Feb 2018
Pentax
K-70
Weather-sealed APS-C DSLR with IBIS and AA filter simulator.
$649
Released Jun 2016
K-1 Mark II is 1.7 years newer.
Wins
K-1 Mark II
Wins
K-70
11 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AK-1 Mark II has higher RAW buffer depth (120 frames vs 60 frames)
- AK-1 Mark II has higher EVF resolution (3,690,000 vs 2,360,000)
- AK-1 Mark II has higher Resolution (36 MP vs 24.2 MP)
- BK-70 has lower Weight (520 g vs 720 g)
- AK-1 Mark II has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 6 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
K-1 Mark II
138 × 98 × 88 mm
720 g (1.59 lb / 25.40 oz)
K-70
138 × 98 × 88 mm
520 g (1.15 lb / 18.34 oz)
K-1 Mark II and K-70 share virtually identical body dimensions.
K-1 Mark II is 200 g heavier than K-70.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm K-1 Mark II · 88mm K-70
Sensor size, to scale
K-1 Mark II
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
K-70
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
2.4× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
K-1 Mark II
✓ more lensesPentax K
70+
native lenses available
K-70
✓ more lensesPentax K
70+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
K-1 Mark II
AA filter
Only K-1 Mark II supports it
RAW buffer depth
120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
EVF resolution
3,690,000 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
Resolution
36 MP vs 24.2 MP — higher is better
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 6 stops — higher is better
Reasons to choose
K-70
Weight
520 g vs 720 g — lower is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 101
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 100 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
K-1 Mark II
Pros
- ✓36MP FF DSLR
- ✓IBIS
- ✓Rugged
- ✓Affordable used
Cons
- –DSLR
- –Slow AF
- –Heavy
K-70
Pros
- ✓Weather sealed entry
- ✓IBIS in DSLR
- ✓Unique features
Cons
- –DSLR
- –24MP dated
- –Limited video
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, K-1 Mark II or K-70?
K-1 Mark II scores 7.5/10 versus 5.0/10 for K-70 — 36MP — ample resolution.
What's the resolution difference between the K-1 Mark II and K-70?
K-1 Mark II is 36 MP and K-70 is 24.2 MP, so the K-1 Mark II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the K-1 Mark II and K-70 have in-body image stabilization?
K-1 Mark II has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while k-70 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the K-1 Mark II or the K-70?
K-1 Mark II reaches 20 fps electronic. K-70 reaches 15 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the K-1 Mark II and K-70?
K-1 Mark II weighs 720 g and K-70 weighs 520 g, so the K-70 is 200 g lighter.
Do the K-1 Mark II and K-70 record 4K video?
K-1 Mark II: 4K up to 60p. K-70: 4K up to 60p.
Are the K-1 Mark II and K-70 weather sealed?
K-1 Mark II: Yes. K-70: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the K-1 Mark II and 640 shots for the K-70, giving the K-70 the edge.
How much does each cost?
K-1 Mark II launched at $1,999 and K-70 at $649. The K-70 is $1,350 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.