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Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax H90

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Pentax Optio H90 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax H90 Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(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  • Superseded the Canon SX160 IS
Pentax H90
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Pentax H90

 SX170 IS H90 
ReleasedAugust 2013January 2010Fresher by 44 months
Screen dimensions3"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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax H90 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax H90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax H90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography details
Pentax H90 Portrait photography details
44
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
includes face detection focusing
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
27
you can focus manually
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX170 IS
Street photography with Pentax H90
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (251 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography info
Pentax H90 Sports photography info
48
excellent zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
31
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography advice
Pentax H90 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than others (251 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
very long zoom (448mm)
no Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
57
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography factors
Pentax H90 Landscape photography factors
49
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
36
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX170 IS
Vlogging with Pentax H90
31
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than others (251 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic support
28
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic socket
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Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax H90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Pentax H90
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISPentax 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