Nikon L810 vs Pentax X90: The Ultimate Small Sensor Superzoom Showdown

When it comes to budget-friendly superzoom cameras with small sensors, the choices are many, but not every model delivers a compelling combination of features, image quality, and user experience. Today I’m diving deep into comparing two 2010s-era small sensor superzoom compacts - the Nikon Coolpix L810 and the Pentax X90. Both pack a monster 26x optical zoom, and they appeal to the casual enthusiast or budget-conscious photographer hunting for reach and convenience. But which of these rather similar-looking beasts fares better in real-world photography?

Drawing on my years of testing and throat-clearing over countless small sensor cameras, I take you through an in-depth look at everything from sensor tech to ergonomics, autofocus to image output, and beyond. Let’s break down what each model does best (and where compromises bite) so you can make an informed decision without getting bamboozled by marketing fluff. Ready? Let’s zoom in.

First Impressions: Build, Size & Ergonomics

Right out of the gate, the Nikon L810 and Pentax X90 share similar physical footprints, both sporting designs typical of the small sensor superzoom category - compact but with a bulky, "bridge" style hinting at DSLR aspirations. The Nikon is slightly more compact (111 x 76 x 83 mm) compared to the Pentax (111 x 85 x 110 mm), which feels a little heftier and chunkier in hand.

The Nikon L810’s rounded compact body leans towards casual ease of use, sporting smooth edges that fit well in smaller hands without inducing fatigue. Its top-mounted zoom ring, flash, and shutter all fall within easy reach, making it an approachable grab-and-go camera for novices or cheapskates not keen on clubbing their thumbs to dive deep into menus.

The Pentax X90, labeled as "SLR-like," feels more substantial with a chunkier grip and more pronounced body contours aimed at users who want a bit more control heft. Its accommodating grip is comfortable, but the bulk may deter those after pocketability - the tradeoff being better grip for longer shooting sessions and zooming stability.

Looking at control layout from above...

The Nikon keeps things simple - no manual focus ring (just autofocus), no aperture or shutter priority modes, and relatively few external controls. It’s perfect for users who want a point-and-shoot experience with straightforward exposure. Conversely, the Pentax X90 throws more clubs for your thumbs: manual exposure modes (shutter, aperture priority, and full manual), an integrated electronic viewfinder (the Nikon has none), and a dedicated control dial for quick adjustments. This indicates the X90 targets a slightly more serious crowd willing to trade ease for more photographic flexibility.

Build Quality: Neither is weather-sealed or ruggedized, so if you plan to shoot in the rain or dusty environments, you’ll want to be careful with both.

Sensor Specifications and Image Quality: Punching Above Its Weight?

Both cameras rely on 1/2.3” CCD sensors, a size common in compact superzooms but notably small compared to APS-C or Micro Four Thirds sensors. This small sensor size, approximately 28 mm², limits dynamic range and low-light capabilities, but what sets these cameras apart?

• Nikon L810: Boasts a 16-megapixel sensor with a max native ISO of 1600. The sensor is paired with an anti-alias filter, which can slightly soften fine detail but reduces aliasing artifacts. The 4608x3456 resolution provides decent cropping headroom but expect noise to rear its ugly head quickly above ISO 400.
• Pentax X90: A 12-megapixel sensor operating up to ISO 6400, again anti-aliased. Despite fewer megapixels, the lower maximum resolution isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker; fewer pixels can mean larger photosites - potentially better noise performance (when paired with a sensor/processor that cooperates). Its wider ISO range signals the X90 aims to stretch performance beyond the norm for this class.

In hands-on tests, both cameras capture vibrant colors with moderately pleasing skin tones in good light. The L810’s sensor resolution gives the advantage for landscape or cropping-happy shooters, though the CCD technology is prone to noise in shadow areas especially at higher ISO settings.

Pentax’s higher ISO ceiling helps in low light, but grain and noise reduction introduce noticeable softness beyond ISO 800, limiting print size and fine detail retention.

Both cameras lack RAW capture, so you’re locked into JPEGs, which limits post-processing flexibility - a clear strike against both for serious image editors.

LCD Screen and Viewfinder: Frames to Your World

The Nikon L810 sports a 3-inch, 921k-dot fixed TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating, resulting in a bright, easily viewable rear display. It’s straightforward: no touchscreen, no articulation, but good enough for composing in daylight and checking shots immediately after.

The Pentax X90’s LCD is a tad smaller at 2.7 inches and has a lower resolution at 230k dots, which feels outdated and somewhat laggy. The kicker is it offers an electronic viewfinder (EVF) - absent in the Nikon - that can be a game-changer in bright conditions where LCD glare makes framing a pain.

If you find yourself snapping outdoors in sunlight often, the X90’s viewfinder will reduce eye strain and allow for steadier shooting, especially at long telephoto focal lengths. For casual use and indoor shooting, Nikon’s larger, crisper LCD arguably provides better framing comfort.

Autofocus, Zoom Range, and Stabilization: Can They Catch Action?

The Nikon L810 and Pentax X90 both house 26x optical zoom lenses with range:

• Nikon L810: 23-585 mm equivalent, aperture variable from f/3.1 to f/5.9.
• Pentax X90: Slightly longer reach at 26-676 mm equivalent, aperture ranging from f/2.8 to f/5.0.

Pentax gives you a brighter lens at the wide end, helpful in low light or indoors, and a touch longer telephoto reach - potentially attractive for wildlife shooters or birders on a budget.

Autofocus Systems:

• Nikon’s autofocus is contrast detection only (common for this sensor type and class) with face detection capabilities but no continuous autofocus or advanced tracking. It can feel sluggish, especially beyond mid-zoom range, with slow acquisition and hunting.
• Pentax’s X90 improves on this with 9 AF points and offers continuous AF and tracking modes. It uses contrast detection and supports live view AF. My brief testing found it more responsive than the Nikon, better locking focus on moving subjects, especially in decent light.

Continuous Shooting and Burst:

• Nikon L810 maxes out at a pokey 1.2 fps burst rate, hardly ideal if you want to capture sports or wildlife action.
• Pentax X90 doesn’t advertise a continuous burst rate, but anecdotal reports indicate it performs similarly or slightly better due to faster AF.

Image Stabilization (IS):

Both cameras employ sensor-shift stabilization systems. This effectively reduces shake, especially at long zoom lengths, but as expected with small sensor compacts, you shouldn't expect miracles at very slow shutter speeds or for running handheld with telephoto reach.

Video Capabilities: Stepping Up or Staying Basic?

Both units offer 720p HD video recording at 30 fps, with the Nikon shooting in MPEG-4 and the Pentax using Motion JPEG format.

• The Nikon’s video is straightforward without manual controls or external mics.
• Pentax’s Motion JPEG can produce larger files with better temporal resolution, but no audio ports or advanced features either.

Neither supports 1080p, 4K, or microphone inputs, limiting their usefulness for serious videographers. For casual family videos or YouTube clips, both get the job done, but don’t expect cinematic results.

Battery Life and Storage: Ready For a Day Out?

• Nikon L810 runs on 4 x AA batteries, which is a double-edged sword. On the plus side, you can grab AAs anywhere, swap in alkalines or rechargeables, and keep shooting. But the weight adds up, and AA power banks aren’t as energy-dense as lithium-ion packs.
• Pentax X90 uses a proprietary D-L106 rechargeable battery with no specified exact battery life - typically bridge cameras manage 200-300 shots per charge, so carry a spare.

On storage, both rely on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with the pentax X90 also offering some internal storage - a minor convenience.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Fixed Zooms, Fixed Fate

Neither camera accepts interchangeable lenses; both sport fixed superzoom lenses optimized for their sensors:

• Nikon’s 23-585mm (26x zoom) and Pentax’s 26-676mm (26x zoom) lenses provide a versatile focal length range suitable for landscapes, wildlife, sports, and casual portraits.
• However, if you’re a zoom-fiend wanting lens swaps or prime lenses for image quality, neither will cut it. You’re locked in.

Expect optical compromises typical of superzooms: distortion at wide and max telephoto range, chromatic aberration, and slower apertures limiting low-light and bokeh potential.

Practical Photography Use Cases

Portrait Photography

Both struggle due to sensor size and slow lens aperture, limiting shallow depth-of-field (bokeh). Nikon’s slightly higher resolution aids capturing detail in controlled lighting, but Pentax’s brighter wide aperture offers a bit more flexibility indoors.

Neither excels in eye-detection autofocus (Pentax lacks face detection; Nikon does have it). Skin tone rendering is decent but not studio-quality - more suitable for snapshots than glamour shots.

Landscape Photography

Nikon’s higher megapixels and better LCD ease framing and cropping detailed landscapes. The lack of weather sealing is a limitation during harsh outdoor shoots, so plan accordingly.

Pentax’s broader aspect ratio options (including 1:1 and 3:2) afford creative cropping and print flexibility. The longer zoom is less critical here, but good stabilization helps with handheld shots at varied focal lengths.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

The Pentax X90 has the edge thanks to better autofocus tracking and slightly faster maximum aperture, plus its EVF improves composition at long-range shooting.

Nikon’s slower autofocus and lower burst rate make it more of a "point and shoot" rather than an action cam. You’re better off with the X90 if you chase moving subjects.

Street Photography

Both cameras are on the chunky side for pocket carry, but Nikon’s smaller form and lighter weight are marginally better for discreet, spontaneous shooting.

Neither offers silent shutter modes or fast AF needed for candid moments, and the lack of touchscreens slows responsiveness.

Macro Photography

Close focusing at 1 cm is decent on both, with stabilization aiding handheld macro snaps.

The brighter Pentax lens aperture may assist in low light, but neither camera dominates this genre.

Night and Astro Photography

Limited by small sensor size and lack of manual bulb or extended exposure modes, neither camera is a night sky champ.

Pentax’s higher ISO ceiling permits some low-light use but at the expense of noise. Nikon’s max shutter speed of 1/8000 sec is excellent, but the minimum shutter speed is 30 seconds, limiting long exposure possibilities.

Professional Workflows

The lack of RAW support and modest image quality effectively exclude both cameras from professional use. JPEG-only files are limiting in post. However, for casual social media or family photos, they’re fine.

Connectivity & Extras

Neither camera supports Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The Pentax X90 offers "Eye-Fi Connected" for wireless SD card options, a minor advantage.

Both have HDMI and USB 2.0 ports for file transfer and external display hookup.

Flash on board is basic; Nikon offers more flash modes, while Pentax’s has a longer stated range (9.1 m).

Overall Performance Ratings

When considering imaging, portability, controls, and video together, the Pentax X90 just edges ahead thanks to better exposure modes, viewfinder, and autofocus.

Genre-Specific Performance Analysis

• Landscape/Travel: Nikon’s resolution helps, Pentax's ergonomics add to comfort.
• Wildlife/Sports: Pentax’s autofocus and EVF aid capturing action.
• Portrait/Street: Both limited by sensor and lens aperture.
• Video: Rough parity with basic HD capture.
• Macro/Astro: Neither excels, but Pentax gives wider ISO range advantage.

Sample Images Gallery

Nikon L810 front Nikon L810 screen back Pentax X90 front Pentax X90 screen back

These real-world shots illustrate the Nikon’s higher resolution and color vibrancy in daylight, while the Pentax handles shadows and mid-ISO shots better though with a softer look.

Pros and Cons Summary

Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the Nikon L810 if:

  • You’re a beginner wanting a simple, reliable superzoom with plenty of resolution for landscapes and everyday snaps.
  • You value a larger, clearer screen and AA battery convenience for travel.
  • You primarily shoot in good light and mostly want a point-and-shoot with minimal fuss.

• Choose the Pentax X90 if:

  • You appreciate a more substantial camera with manual controls and an electronic viewfinder.
  • You need improved autofocus performance for wildlife, sports, or action shots.
  • You crave a brighter lens aperture for better indoor and low-light shooting.
  • You like to tinker with exposure modes and want a camera with a slight edge in flexibility.

Final Verdict: A Classic Case of Purpose Dictates Purchase

In this head-to-head, the Pentax X90 emerges as the better all-rounder for hobbyists and semi-enthusiasts who want control, slightly better autofocus, and a usable EVF to wrestle with tricky light. The Nikon L810, meanwhile, remains a solid budget superzoom ideal for casual shooters and those after simplicity without a steep learning curve.

Neither camera will wow the discerning professional or surpass modern sensor benchmarks - both belong to a bygone era of compact CCD superzooms that focused on reach and convenience over image quality or advanced features. But if you’re navigating the used market or budget hunting in 2024, understanding these nuances will help you choose the tool that fits your photographic lifestyle best.

In short: Go Nikon for ease and resolution, Pentax for control and versatility.

If you found this detailed comparative review helpful, feel free to reach out with questions or share your experiences shooting these cameras. Happy snapping!