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Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax X90

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Pentax X90 front
Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax X90 Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
  • Launched August 2013
  • Superseded the Canon SX160 IS
Pentax X90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 428g - 111 x 85 x 110mm
  • Revealed July 2010
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Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax X90 Overview

Below is a in-depth assessment of the Canon SX170 IS versus Pentax X90, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and X90 (12MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was launched 3 years later than the X90 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SX170 IS scores vs the X90 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Pentax X90

 SX170 IS X90 
RevealedAugust 2013July 2010More recent by 39 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Canon SX170 IS

 X90 SX170 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Pentax X90

 SX170 IS X90 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax X90 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX170 IS comes with exterior measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Pentax X90 has specifications of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") along with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX170 IS versus Pentax X90 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX170 IS versus the X90.

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax X90 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and X90 is 88 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax X90 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax X90 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor measurements simply by looking through technical specs. The photograph underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SX170 IS and X90.

As you have seen, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Canon SX170 IS to render greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images more aggressively. The more modern SX170 IS is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax X90 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax X90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography features
Pentax X90 Portrait photography features
44
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
29
manual focus
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX170 IS
Street photography with Pentax X90
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (251 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX170 IS
Sports photography with Pentax X90
48
excellent zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
42
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography details
Pentax X90 Travel photography details
68
lighter than others (251 grams)
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
long zoom (448mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
51
flash built-in
quite wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
no Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography factors
Pentax X90 Landscape photography factors
49
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
35
manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging features
Pentax X90 Vlogging features
31
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
lighter than others (251 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone socket
23
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone support
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Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax X90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Pentax X90
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISPentax X90
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Pentax X90
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-08-22 2010-07-06
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 9.10 m
Flash modes Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 251 gr (0.55 lb) 428 gr (0.94 lb)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6LH D-L106
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $0 $350