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Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X90

Portability
64
Imaging
33
Features
53
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS front
 
Pentax X90 front
Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X90 Key Specs

Canon SX1 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 615g - 128 x 88 x 88mm
  • Introduced March 2009
Pentax X90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 428g - 111 x 85 x 110mm
  • Launched July 2010
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Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X90 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X90, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SX1 IS (10MP) and the X90 (12MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX1 IS was manufactured 15 months before the X90 making them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras feature the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SX1 IS grades vs the X90 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Pentax X90

 SX1 IS X90 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size2.8"2.7"Larger display (+0.1")
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Canon SX1 IS

 X90 SX1 IS 
LaunchedJuly 2010March 2009More modern by 15 months

Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Pentax X90

 SX1 IS X90 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X90 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SX1 IS offers external dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") along with a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) while the Pentax X90 has sizing of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") along with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X90 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the SX1 IS versus the X90.

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X90 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX1 IS and X90 is 64 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X90 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X90 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes simply by looking at technical specs. The image underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX1 IS and X90.

As you have seen, both cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Pentax X90 to give you greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SX1 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X90 sensor size comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX1 IS
Portrait photography with Pentax X90
46
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/500s)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW files
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
29
has manual focus
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX1 IS
Street photography with Pentax X90
56
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition in class (615 grams)
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Sports photography camera
Pentax X90 as a Sports photography camera
33
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (4.0 fps)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
42
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking focus
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Travel photography highlights
Pentax X90 Travel photography highlights
52
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
rather wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (615g)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
51
built-in flash
rather wide (26mm)
long reach (676mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Landscape photography factors
Pentax X90 Landscape photography factors
44
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (2.8")
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
missing Timelapse function
35
has manual focus
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX1 IS
Vlogging with Pentax X90
57
rather wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
missing microphone support
more heavy than competition in class (615g)
23
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic jack
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Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX1 IS and Pentax X90
 Canon PowerShot SX1 ISPentax X90
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Pentax X90
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-03-27 2010-07-06
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing distance 0cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.8 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 9.10 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 615 grams (1.36 pounds) 428 grams (0.94 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID - D-L106
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $600 $350