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Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax W90

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28

Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax W90 Key Specs

Canon SX230 HS
(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
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
  • Released February 2010
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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").

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Pentax W90

 SX230 HS W90 
ReleasedJuly 2011February 2010More recent by 17 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kClearer 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX230 HS and W90 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography factors
Pentax W90 Portrait photography factors
34
has manual focus
supports face detect focus
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
27
focusing manually
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Street photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (223g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
54
weather proofing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Sports photography factors
Pentax W90 Sports photography factors
36
great zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (210 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
24
weather proofing
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than average (223g)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
great reach (392mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
bad battery power (210 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
64
weather proofing
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Landscape photography camera
41
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery power (210 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
36
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX230 HS
Vlogging with Pentax W90
34
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (223g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone jack
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone support
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Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Pentax W90
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSPentax 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