Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax H90
87 Imaging
33 Features
28 Overall
31


93 Imaging
35 Features
24 Overall
30
Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax H90 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
- 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
- Released August 2009
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 153g - 101 x 65 x 28mm
- Announced January 2010

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax H90 Overview
Its time to examine more closely at the Canon SX120 IS versus Pentax H90, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the H90 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and H90 (1/2.3") feature different sensor sizing.

The SX120 IS was announced 5 months before the H90 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SX120 IS scores vs the H90 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax H90 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX120 IS and Pentax Optio H90. The whole galleries are provided at Canon SX120 IS Gallery and Pentax H90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Pentax H90
SX120 IS | H90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Pentax H90 over the Canon SX120 IS
H90 | SX120 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Pentax H90
SX120 IS | H90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2009 | ![]() | January 2010 | Similar generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax H90 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and volume. The Canon SX120 IS has got outside measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") with a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) whilst the Pentax H90 has sizing of 101mm x 65mm x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 153 grams (0.34 lbs).
Look at the Canon SX120 IS versus Pentax H90 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the SX120 IS vs the H90.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX120 IS and H90 is 87 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax H90 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing purely by checking specifications. The visual underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX120 IS and H90.
Plainly, both of those cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SX120 IS with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Pentax H90 will give you greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs much more aggressively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax H90 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax H90 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Pentax Optio H90 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Pentax Optio H90 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2009-08-19 | 2010-01-25 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | Prime |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.5" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 5.744 x 4.308mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 24.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 3:2 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 36-360mm (10.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/2.8-4.3 | f/3.5-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 6.3 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2500 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 4.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/500 seconds | - |
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 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 285g (0.63 pounds) | 153g (0.34 pounds) |
Dimensions | 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") | 101 x 65 x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") |
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 | D-LI68 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $249 | $150 |