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Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X90

Portability
80
Imaging
46
Features
34
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
 
Pentax X90 front
Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X90 Key Specs

Canon SX420 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
  • 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
  • Introduced January 2016
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
  • Announced July 2010
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Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X90 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Canon SX420 IS and Pentax X90, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the SX420 IS (20MP) and X90 (12MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX420 IS was brought out 5 years later than the X90 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SX420 IS matches up against the X90 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Pentax X90

 SX420 IS X90 
AnnouncedJanuary 2016July 2010Fresher by 67 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Canon SX420 IS

 X90 SX420 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Pentax X90

 SX420 IS X90 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X90 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera often, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX420 IS comes with exterior measurements of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") along with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) whilst the Pentax X90 has dimensions of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX420 IS and Pentax X90 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the SX420 IS compared to the X90.

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X90 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX420 IS and X90 is 80 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X90 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X90 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing just by looking through specs. The visual here will provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX420 IS and X90.

All in all, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Canon SX420 IS to render more detail having its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images much more aggressively. The newer SX420 IS should have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X90 sensor size comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax X90 as a Portrait photography camera
44
has manual focus
decent megapixels (20MP)
supports face detection focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
29
you can focus manually
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Street photography camera
Pentax X90 as a Street photography camera
52
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Sports photography info
Pentax X90 Sports photography info
41
incredible zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (0.5 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (195 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
42
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking focus
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Travel photography details
Pentax X90 Travel photography details
61
decent megapixels (20MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (1008mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (195 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
51
built-in flash
rather wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX420 IS
Landscape photography with Pentax X90
47
has manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20MP)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
not so great battery pack (195 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
35
you can focus manually
rather wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX420 IS
Vlogging with Pentax X90
29
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic jack
23
rather wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone jack
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Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax X90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX420 IS and Pentax X90
 Canon PowerShot SX420 ISPentax X90
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX420 IS Pentax X90
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2016-01-05 2010-07-06
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4+ Prime
Sensor type CCD 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 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5152 x 3864 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-6.6 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing distance 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 0.5 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 9.10 m
Flash settings Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 325g (0.72 lb) 428g (0.94 lb)
Dimensions 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") 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 195 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-11LH D-L106
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $299 $350