Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax X90
65 Imaging
36 Features
55 Overall
43


69 Imaging
35 Features
34 Overall
34
Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax X90 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.8" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
- 595g - 123 x 87 x 106mm
- Announced January 2013
- Replaced the Canon SX40 HS
- Renewed by Canon SX60 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
- Introduced July 2010

Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax X90 Overview
The following is a extensive assessment of the Canon SX50 HS and Pentax X90, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Canon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SX50 HS (12MP) and the X90 (12MP) is fairly comparable and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The SX50 HS was launched 2 years after the X90 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).
Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SX50 HS scores vs the X90 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax X90 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX50 HS and Pentax X90. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SX50 HS Gallery and Pentax X90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX50 HS over the Pentax X90
SX50 HS | X90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2013 | ![]() | July 2010 | Newer by 31 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display sizing | 2.8" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.1") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+231k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Canon SX50 HS
X90 | SX50 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX50 HS and Pentax X90
SX50 HS | X90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly display |
Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax X90 Physical Comparison
If you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX50 HS enjoys outer measurements of 123mm x 87mm x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") accompanied by a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) and 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).
Examine the Canon SX50 HS and Pentax X90 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the SX50 HS compared to the X90.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX50 HS and X90 is 65 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax X90 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is very hard to picture the difference in sensor dimensions purely by seeing specs. The picture below will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX50 HS and X90.
All in all, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of images though you may want to take the release date of the cameras into account. The younger SX50 HS should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax X90 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS | Pentax X90 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX50 HS | Pentax X90 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2013-01-15 | 2010-07-06 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 5 | 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 | 12 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-1200mm (50.0x) | 26-676mm (26.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.4-6.5 | f/2.8-5.0 |
Macro focus distance | 0cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.8" | 2.7" |
Resolution of screen | 461 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | 202 thousand dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.50 m | 9.10 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain | - |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/2000 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 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 file format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 595 gr (1.31 lb) | 428 gr (0.94 lb) |
Dimensions | 123 x 87 x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") | 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 47 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.3 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.2 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 179 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 315 shots | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-10L | D-L106 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $429 | $350 |