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Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X90

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Pentax X90 front
Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X90 Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Replaced the Canon SX10 IS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX30 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
  • Introduced July 2010
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Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X90 Overview

Here is a extensive overview of the Canon SX20 IS versus Pentax X90, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the X90 (12MP) is fairly comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was launched within a month of the X90 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SX20 IS grades versus the X90 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Pentax X90

 SX20 IS X90 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Canon SX20 IS

 X90 SX20 IS 
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Pentax X90

 SX20 IS X90 
IntroducedJuly 2010July 2010Same age
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X90 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX20 IS has outside dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Pentax X90 has measurements of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX20 IS versus Pentax X90 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the SX20 IS against the X90.

Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X90 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX20 IS and X90 is 65 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X90 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X90 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing just by going through specifications. The graphic underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX20 IS and X90.

To sum up, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical MP and you can expect comparable quality of photos though you will want to factor the launch date of the cameras into account.

Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X90 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography advice
Pentax X90 Portrait photography advice
37
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/500s)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
29
has manual focus
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Street photography camera
Pentax X90 as a Street photography camera
49
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
more heavy than competition (600 grams)
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography features
Pentax X90 Sports photography features
34
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
42
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX20 IS
Travel photography with Pentax X90
53
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
rather wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (600 grams)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX20 IS
Landscape photography with Pentax X90
35
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
35
has manual focus
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Vlogging camera
Pentax X90 as a Vlogging camera
50
rather wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone port
more heavy than competition (600 grams)
23
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic support
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Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Pentax X90
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISPentax X90
General Information
Company Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Pentax X90
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-07-06 2010-07-06
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus range 0cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.80 m 9.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 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 file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 grams (1.32 lbs) 428 grams (0.94 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3")
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 4 x AA D-L106
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $500 $350