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Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax E90

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Pentax Optio E90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
11
Overall
24

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax E90 Key Specs

Canon SX500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
  • Launched August 2012
  • Renewed by Canon SX510 HS
Pentax E90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 32-95mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 145g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Introduced January 2010
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Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax E90 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Canon SX500 IS versus Pentax E90, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the SX500 IS (16MP) and E90 (10MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX500 IS was unveiled 2 years later than the E90 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SX500 IS scores against the E90 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Pentax E90

 SX500 IS E90 
IntroducedAugust 2012January 2010More recent by 32 months
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax E90 over the Canon SX500 IS

 E90 SX500 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Pentax E90

 SX500 IS E90 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax E90 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX500 IS has got outer measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) while the Pentax E90 has specifications of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX500 IS versus Pentax E90 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the SX500 IS against the E90.

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax E90 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SX500 IS and E90 is 80 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax E90 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax E90 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to see the contrast between sensor measurements just by reading through technical specs. The graphic here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX500 IS and E90.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Canon SX500 IS to give you extra detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The fresher SX500 IS will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax E90 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax E90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax E90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax E90 as a Portrait photography camera
46
focusing manually
above average flash sync speed (1/1,600 seconds)
good resolution (16MP)
has face detection focusing
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX500 IS
Street photography with Pentax E90
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX500 IS
Sports photography with Pentax E90
44
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (195 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
16
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax E90 as a Travel photography camera
59
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (195 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
50
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (10MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX500 IS
Landscape photography with Pentax E90
46
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery pack (195 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
22
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Vlogging information
Pentax E90 Vlogging information
28
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic jack
22
wide angle not good (32mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
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Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax E90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Pentax E90
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISPentax Optio E90
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Pentax Optio E90
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-08-21 2010-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 1 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 32-95mm (3.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 6cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/1600 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 341g (0.75 pounds) 145g (0.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0")
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 195 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6L 2 x AA
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 One One
Launch cost $299 $100