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Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax X90

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX270 HS front
 
Pentax X90 front
Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax X90 Key Specs

Canon SX270 HS
(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
Pentax X90
(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
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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").

Photography Glossary

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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX270 HS over the Pentax X90

 SX270 HS X90 
LaunchedMarch 2013July 2010More recent by 33 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax X90 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax X90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX270 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax X90 as a Portrait photography camera
34
has manual focus
offers face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
29
manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Street photography details
Pentax X90 Street photography details
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (233g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX270 HS
Sports photography with Pentax X90
36
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (210 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
42
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking focus
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Travel photography details
Pentax X90 Travel photography details
61
lighter than average in class (233 grams)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
low battery life (210 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
51
has built in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX270 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax X90 as a Landscape photography camera
41
has manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
low battery life (210 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
35
manual focus
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX270 HS as a Vlogging camera
Pentax X90 as a Vlogging camera
34
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (233 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
missing external mic support
23
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic socket
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Canon SX270 HS vs Pentax X90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX270 HS and Pentax X90
 Canon PowerShot SX270 HSPentax 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