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Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax X90

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Pentax X90 front
Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax X90 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
  • Announced July 2011
  • Superseded the Canon SX210 IS
  • New Model is Canon SX240 HS
Pentax X90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 428g - 111 x 85 x 110mm
  • Announced July 2010
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Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax X90 Overview

The following is a extended comparison of the Canon SX230 HS and Pentax X90, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the X90 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was manufactured 13 months after the X90 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SX230 HS being a Compact camera and the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a brief summation of how the SX230 HS scores vs the X90 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Pentax X90

 SX230 HS X90 
AnnouncedJuly 2011July 2010Newer by 13 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Canon SX230 HS

 X90 SX230 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Pentax X90

 SX230 HS X90 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax X90 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SX230 HS provides exterior measurements of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) while 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).

Analyze the Canon SX230 HS and Pentax X90 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the SX230 HS versus the X90.

Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax X90 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SX230 HS and X90 is 91 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax X90 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax X90 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to envision the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching technical specs. The picture below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX230 HS and X90.

As you can tell, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels and you can expect comparable quality of images however you have to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The fresher SX230 HS will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax X90 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax X90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX230 HS
Portrait photography with Pentax X90
34
manual focus
includes face detection focus
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
29
you can focus manually
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Street photography highlights
Pentax X90 Street photography highlights
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (223 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Sports photography factors
Pentax X90 Sports photography factors
36
amazing zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (210 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
42
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Travel photography highlights
Pentax X90 Travel photography highlights
61
lighter than competitors in class (223 grams)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
great zoom (392mm)
missing Timelapse function
low battery pack (210 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
51
built-in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Landscape photography highlights
Pentax X90 Landscape photography highlights
41
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
low battery pack (210 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
35
you can focus manually
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Vlogging details
Pentax X90 Vlogging details
34
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (223g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
23
pretty wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone socket
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Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax X90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Pentax X90
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSPentax X90
General Information
Company Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Pentax X90
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-07-19 2010-07-06
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor 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 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-392mm (14.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech PureColor II TG TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 9.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
AEB
WB 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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 223 gr (0.49 lb) 428 gr (0.94 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 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 210 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-5L D-L106
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $399 $350