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Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax W90

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX270 HS front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28

Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax W90 Key Specs

Canon SX270 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
  • Introduced March 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX260 HS
  • Successor is Canon SX280 HS
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Launched February 2010
Photography Glossary

Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax W90 Overview

The following is a detailed assessment of the Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax W90, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SX270 HS (12MP) and the W90 (12MP) is relatively close and they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX270 HS was revealed 3 years after the W90 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SX270 HS scores vs the W90 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX270 HS over the Pentax W90

 SX270 HS W90 
LaunchedMarch 2013February 2010Newer by 38 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Canon SX270 HS

 W90 SX270 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX270 HS and Pentax W90

 SX270 HS W90 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SX270 HS comes with outer dimensions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Pentax W90 has sizing of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") and a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax W90 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the SX270 HS versus the W90.

Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX270 HS and W90 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions merely by viewing a spec sheet. The pic here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX270 HS and W90.

Clearly, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact resolution so you should expect comparable quality of files although you will need to consider the release date of the cameras into account. The more modern SX270 HS provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Portrait photography information
Pentax W90 Portrait photography information
34
manual focus
comes with face detect focusing
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
27
focusing manually
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX270 HS
Street photography with Pentax W90
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (233g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
54
environment proof
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX270 HS
Sports photography with Pentax W90
36
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
max fps very slow (4.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery (210 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
24
environment proof
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Travel photography info
Pentax W90 Travel photography info
61
lighter than competition in class (233 grams)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery (210 per charge)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
64
environment proof
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Landscape photography details
Pentax W90 Landscape photography details
41
manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
terrible battery (210 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
36
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX270 HS as a Vlogging camera
Pentax W90 as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (233 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone support
25
fairly wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic port
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Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX270 HS and Pentax W90
 Canon PowerShot SX270 HSPentax Optio W90
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX270 HS Pentax Optio W90
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2013-03-21 2010-02-24
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 6 Prime
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 233 grams (0.51 lbs) 164 grams (0.36 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 210 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6L D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $284 $120