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Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax W90

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax W90 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
  • Succeeded the Canon SX160 IS
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Revealed February 2010
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Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax W90 Overview

The following is a thorough comparison of the Canon SX170 IS versus Pentax W90, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof by companies Canon and Pentax. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and W90 (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was unveiled 3 years after the W90 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SX170 IS scores vs the W90 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Pentax W90

 SX170 IS W90 
RevealedAugust 2013February 2010Newer by 43 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Canon SX170 IS

 W90 SX170 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Pentax W90

 SX170 IS W90 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera often, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX170 IS offers exterior 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 W90 has dimensions of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") and a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX170 IS versus Pentax W90 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is a front view size comparison of the SX170 IS against the W90.

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX170 IS and W90 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing specs. The pic below will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX170 IS and W90.

All in all, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Canon SX170 IS to offer extra detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The fresher SX170 IS is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography information
Pentax W90 Portrait photography information
44
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography info
Pentax W90 Street photography info
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (251g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
54
weather sealing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Sports photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Sports photography camera
48
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
24
weather sealing
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography highlights
Pentax W90 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than competition in class (251g)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
long reach (448mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
64
weather sealing
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Landscape photography camera
49
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
37
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX170 IS
Vlogging with Pentax W90
31
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (251g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic support
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Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Pentax W90
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISPentax Optio W90
General Information
Brand Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Pentax Optio W90
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Announced 2013-08-22 2010-02-24
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 grams (0.55 lbs) 164 grams (0.36 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" 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 life 300 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6LH D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $0 $120