Pentax's sturdy 35-70mm auto zoom compact — Tele-Macro lens, MaP autofocus, real-image finder, AAA power; IQZoom 70-S.
The Pentax Zoom 70-S was a 35mm autofocus compact zoom that followed the Zoom 70 of 1986, the camera that had opened the compact-zoom category. Sold in the US under IQZoom branding, the 70-S is a distinct model from the Zoom 70, Zoom 70X and Zoom 70-R that surrounded it in the range, with a notably sturdy body and its own accessory teleconverter.
It is a fully automatic lens-shutter camera with a built-in Pentax 35-70mm Tele-Macro zoom, offering a macro setting at the 70mm end. Focusing uses Pentax's MaP autofocus system, with focus lock and flash-ready indicators in a real-image viewfinder marked with parallax-correction lines. Film loading and rewind are motorised, there is a self-timer and an integrated front-mounted flash, and power comes from four AAA batteries. It measures 135x73x40mm (plus 25mm of lens) and weighs 460g without batteries. The optional Tele Converter TE-Z100, used at the 70mm setting only, extends the lens to 100mm.
The 70-S is a chunky but solidly made walk-around zoom compact, and the tele-macro mode plus converter option gave it more reach and versatility than most late-80s rivals. AAA power is cheap and easy to find, though four cells at once is an unusual appetite. It suits casual shooters and collectors filling out the early Pentax zoom-compact line.
Test with four fresh AAAs before declaring a body dead — low cells cause sluggish zoom and wind motors. Cycle the zoom through its full range, fire the flash, and check the viewfinder indicators respond. Battery contacts in four-cell trays corrode readily, so inspect them, along with door seals and the motorised rewind. The TE-Z100 converter is a scarce, collectable extra when included.