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Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax E90

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Pentax Optio E90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
11
Overall
24

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax E90 Key Specs

Canon SX120 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
  • 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
  • Announced August 2009
Pentax E90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 32-95mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 145g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Released January 2010
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Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax E90 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax E90, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the E90 (10MP) is very well matched but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and E90 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The SX120 IS was revealed 5 months before the E90 and they are of a similar age. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the SX120 IS grades vs the E90 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Pentax E90

 SX120 IS E90 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax E90 over the Canon SX120 IS

 E90 SX120 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Pentax E90

 SX120 IS E90 
ReleasedAugust 2009January 2010Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax E90 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX120 IS enjoys external measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") along with a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) while the Pentax E90 has measurements of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

See the Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax E90 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX120 IS against the E90.

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax E90 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX120 IS and E90 is 87 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax E90 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax E90 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes just by checking a spec sheet. The pic here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SX120 IS and E90.

As you can see, each of these cameras come with the identical megapixel count but not the same sensor sizes. The SX120 IS comes with the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving shallow DOF tougher.

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax E90 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax E90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax E90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax E90 as a Portrait photography camera
33
focusing manually
above average flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
external flash not possible
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
19
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Street photography features
Pentax E90 Street photography features
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
heavier than competitors (285 grams)
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX120 IS
Sports photography with Pentax E90
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect AF
16
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Travel photography factors
Pentax E90 Travel photography factors
51
built-in flash
very long reach (360mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors (285g)
MP count low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
50
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Landscape photography factors
Pentax E90 Landscape photography factors
36
focusing manually
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
22
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Vlogging factors
Pentax E90 Vlogging factors
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external mic jack
heavier than competitors (285g)
22
wide angle not good (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic port
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Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax E90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Pentax E90
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISPentax Optio E90
General Information
Company Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Pentax Optio E90
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-08-19 2010-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-360mm (10.0x) 32-95mm (3.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-4.3 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 6cm
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2500s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 285g (0.63 lbs) 145g (0.32 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model 2 x AA 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $249 $100