Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax H90
88 Imaging
40 Features
41 Overall
40


93 Imaging
35 Features
24 Overall
30
Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax H90 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
- Announced August 2013
- Superseded the Canon SX160 IS
(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
- Released January 2010

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax H90 Overview
Its time to look closer at the Canon SX170 IS and Pentax H90, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Pentax. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and H90 (12MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX170 IS was announced 3 years later than the H90 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SX170 IS grades versus the H90 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax H90 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS and Pentax Optio H90. The whole galleries are provided at Canon SX170 IS Gallery and Pentax H90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Pentax H90
SX170 IS | H90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2013 | ![]() | January 2010 | Fresher by 44 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Pentax H90 over the Canon SX170 IS
H90 | SX170 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Pentax H90
SX170 IS | H90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch screen |
Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax H90 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and size. The Canon SX170 IS features outer measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Pentax H90 has specifications of 101mm x 65mm x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 153 grams (0.34 lbs).
Compare the Canon SX170 IS and Pentax H90 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SX170 IS and the H90.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and H90 is 88 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax H90 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading technical specs. The graphic here will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX170 IS and H90.
As you have seen, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Canon SX170 IS to offer you extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more recent SX170 IS is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax H90 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax H90 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Pentax Optio H90 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Pentax Optio H90 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2013-08-22 | 2010-01-25 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | Prime |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.5-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/3200s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 4.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | 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 | 251 gr (0.55 pounds) | 153 gr (0.34 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 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 life | 300 photos | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6LH | D-LI68 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at launch | $0 | $150 |