Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax W90
91 Imaging
35 Features
43 Overall
38
94 Imaging
34 Features
21 Overall
28
Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax W90 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-392mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 223g - 106 x 62 x 33mm
- Introduced July 2011
- Old Model is Canon SX210 IS
- Successor is Canon SX240 HS
(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
- Released February 2010
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax W90 Overview
In this article, we are looking at the Canon SX230 HS and Pentax W90, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof by competitors Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the W90 (12MP) is very close and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe SX230 HS was revealed 17 months later than the W90 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SX230 HS matches up against the W90 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax W90 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX230 HS & Pentax Optio W90. The full galleries are available at Canon SX230 HS Gallery & Pentax W90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Pentax W90
| SX230 HS | W90 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | July 2011 | February 2010 | More recent by 17 months | |
| Display sizing | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") | |
| Display resolution | 461k | 230k | Clearer display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Canon SX230 HS
| W90 | SX230 HS |
|---|
Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Pentax W90
| SX230 HS | W90 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | Dial precise focus | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Selfie screen | Absent selfie screen | |||
| Touch display | Absent Touch display |
Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Canon SX230 HS has got physical measurements of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Pentax W90 has specifications of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SX230 HS and Pentax W90 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the SX230 HS against the W90.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX230 HS and W90 is 91 and 94 respectively.
Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is tough to picture the contrast in sensor measurements simply by viewing technical specs. The visual below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SX230 HS and W90.
As you can tell, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution therefore you can expect comparable quality of photographs although you would want to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The younger SX230 HS provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.
Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsStreet Comparison
Photography GlossarySports Comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoTravel Comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthLandscape Comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsVlogging Comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax W90 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Pentax Optio W90 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Canon | Pentax |
| Model | Canon PowerShot SX230 HS | Pentax Optio W90 |
| Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Waterproof |
| Introduced | 2011-07-19 | 2010-02-24 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology | Prime |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 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 | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 28-392mm (14.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
| Highest aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.5-5.5 |
| Macro focus distance | 5cm | 1cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
| Screen resolution | 461 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Screen tech | PureColor II TG TFT LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/1500 secs |
| Continuous shooting rate | 3.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 3.50 m | 3.90 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | 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 | BuiltIn | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 223g (0.49 lb) | 164g (0.36 lb) |
| Dimensions | 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 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 | 210 shots | - |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery model | NB-5L | D-LI68 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Cost at launch | $399 | $120 |