Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax X90
64 Imaging
35 Features
50 Overall
41


69 Imaging
35 Features
34 Overall
34
Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax X90 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
- 600g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
- Released September 2011
- Superseded the Canon SX30 IS
- Refreshed by Canon SX50 HS
(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
- Revealed July 2010

Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax X90 Overview
Here is a extended comparison of the Canon SX40 HS versus Pentax X90, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the SX40 HS (12MP) and the X90 (12MP) is pretty comparable and they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The SX40 HS was introduced 15 months later than the X90 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).
Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SX40 HS grades vs the X90 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax X90 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX40 HS and Pentax X90. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon SX40 HS Gallery and Pentax X90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX40 HS over the Pentax X90
SX40 HS | X90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | September 2011 | ![]() | July 2010 | Fresher by 15 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Canon SX40 HS
X90 | SX40 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX40 HS and Pentax X90
SX40 HS | X90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Screen sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Equivalent screen size |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical screen resolution |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither contains Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax X90 Physical Comparison
If you are going to carry your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon SX40 HS has got physical dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Pentax X90 has proportions of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") accompanied by a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon SX40 HS versus Pentax X90 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SX40 HS vs the X90.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX40 HS and X90 is 64 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax X90 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing just by checking out specs. The visual below might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX40 HS and X90.
All in all, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same megapixels and you should expect comparable quality of photographs but you really should consider the production date of the cameras into account. The younger SX40 HS will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX40 HS vs Pentax X90 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS | Pentax X90 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX40 HS | Pentax X90 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2011-09-15 | 2010-07-06 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | 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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-840mm (35.0x) | 26-676mm (26.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/2.7-5.8 | f/2.8-5.0 |
Macro focusing distance | 0cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.7" | 2.7" |
Screen resolution | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | PureColor II VA TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 10.0 frames per sec | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m | 9.10 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | - |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/2000 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported 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 data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 600 grams (1.32 lbs) | 428 grams (0.94 lbs) |
Dimensions | 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") | 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | 380 images | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-10L | D-L106 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch pricing | $330 | $350 |