Clicky

Nikon L820 vs Pentax X90

Portability
72
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix L820 front
 
Pentax X90 front
Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Nikon L820 vs Pentax X90 Key Specs

Nikon L820
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-675mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 470g - 111 x 76 x 85mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Replaced the Nikon L810
  • Renewed by Nikon L830
Pentax X90
(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
  • Launched July 2010
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Nikon L820 vs Pentax X90 Overview

The following is a in depth review of the Nikon L820 vs Pentax X90, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the L820 (16MP) and X90 (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The L820 was revealed 2 years after the X90 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the L820 grades vs the X90 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

				

Reasons to pick Nikon L820 over the Pentax X90

 L820 X90 
LaunchedJanuary 2013July 2010Newer by 32 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Nikon L820

 X90 L820 
Focus manually More precise focus

Common features in the Nikon L820 and Pentax X90

 L820 X90 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Nikon L820 vs Pentax X90 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon L820 features physical dimensions of 111mm x 76mm x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") and a weight of 470 grams (1.04 lbs) and the Pentax X90 has proportions of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") along with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).

Check out the Nikon L820 vs Pentax X90 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the L820 vs the X90.

Nikon L820 vs Pentax X90 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the L820 and X90 is 72 and 69 respectively.

Nikon L820 vs Pentax X90 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L820 vs Pentax X90 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions just by looking at a spec sheet. The image below will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the L820 and X90.

As you can see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Nikon L820 to give more detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The newer L820 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon L820 vs Pentax X90 sensor size comparison

Nikon L820 vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L820 vs Pentax X90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L820
Portrait photography with Pentax X90
30
MP count decent (16MP)
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
29
has manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon L820 Street photography details
Pentax X90 Street photography details
38
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than average (470 grams)
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Nikon L820 Sports photography advice
Pentax X90 Sports photography advice
36
incredible zoom range (23-675mm 29.3 x zoom)
MP count decent (16MP)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
42
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Nikon L820 Travel photography features
Pentax X90 Travel photography features
56
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (23mm)
long reach (675mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (470g)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
51
flash built-in
really wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L820
Landscape photography with Pentax X90
36
reasonably wide (23mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
35
has manual focus
really wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L820
Vlogging with Pentax X90
24
reasonably wide (23mm)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have external microphone jack
more heavy than average (470g)
23
really wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Nikon L820 vs Pentax X90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L820 and Pentax X90
 Nikon Coolpix L820Pentax X90
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix L820 Pentax X90
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-01-29 2010-07-06
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-675mm (29.3x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 9.10 m
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 470 grams (1.04 lbs) 428 grams (0.94 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 76 x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3")
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 320 photographs -
Battery format AA -
Battery model 4 x AA D-L106
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $192 $350