Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax X90
91 Imaging
36 Features
43 Overall
38


69 Imaging
35 Features
34 Overall
34
Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax X90 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
- 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
- Launched March 2013
- Replaced the Canon SX260 HS
- Later Model is Canon SX280 HS
(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
- Launched July 2010

Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax X90 Overview
Below is a detailed assessment of the Canon SX270 HS versus Pentax X90, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the SX270 HS (12MP) and the X90 (12MP) is fairly close and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX270 HS was revealed 2 years later than the X90 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX270 HS being a Compact camera and the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the SX270 HS grades vs the X90 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax X90 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX270 HS & Pentax X90. The full galleries are available at Canon SX270 HS Gallery & Pentax X90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX270 HS over the Pentax X90
SX270 HS | X90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | March 2013 | ![]() | July 2010 | More recent by 33 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Canon SX270 HS
X90 | SX270 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX270 HS and Pentax X90
SX270 HS | X90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lack of Touch display |
Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax X90 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX270 HS features exterior dimensions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Pentax X90 has measurements of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") and a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).
Check the Canon SX270 HS versus Pentax X90 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the SX270 HS against the X90.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SX270 HS and X90 is 91 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax X90 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's difficult to imagine the difference in sensor measurements just by researching technical specs. The graphic below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SX270 HS and X90.
As you can tell, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of photographs although you should consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The newer SX270 HS provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax X90 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX270 HS | Pentax X90 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX270 HS | Pentax X90 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2013-03-21 | 2010-07-06 |
Physical type | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 6 | Prime |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | 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 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 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 files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-500mm (20.0x) | 26-676mm (26.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.5-6.8 | f/2.8-5.0 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of screen | 461 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames per second | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m | 9.10 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | - |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
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 port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 233 gr (0.51 pounds) | 428 gr (0.94 pounds) |
Dimensions | 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" 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 photographs | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6L | D-L106 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $284 | $350 |