Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X90
65 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37


69 Imaging
35 Features
34 Overall
34
Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X90 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X90 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS & Pentax X90. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SX20 IS Gallery & Pentax X90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Pentax X90
SX20 IS | X90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Canon SX20 IS
X90 | SX20 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Pentax X90
SX20 IS | X90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | July 2010 | ![]() | July 2010 | Same age |
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X90 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Pentax 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 |