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Nikon P520 vs Pentax X90

Portability
66
Imaging
42
Features
51
Overall
45
Nikon Coolpix P520 front
 
Pentax X90 front
Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X90 Key Specs

Nikon P520
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1000mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 550g - 125 x 84 x 102mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Old Model is Nikon P510
  • New Model is Nikon P530
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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Nikon P520 vs Pentax X90 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Nikon P520 and Pentax X90, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the P520 (18MP) and X90 (12MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The P520 was launched 2 years later than the X90 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before going into a thorough comparison, here is a simple summary of how the P520 scores versus the X90 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Pentax X90

 P520 X90 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013July 2010More recent by 32 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Nikon P520

 X90 P520 

Common features in the Nikon P520 and Pentax X90

 P520 X90 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X90 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Nikon P520 features outer dimensions of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") along with a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Pentax X90 has specifications of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon P520 and Pentax X90 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the P520 versus the X90.

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X90 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the P520 and X90 is 66 and 69 respectively.

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X90 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X90 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements simply by going over specs. The visual here will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the P520 and X90.

All in all, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Nikon P520 to offer extra detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The fresher P520 should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X90 sensor size comparison

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P520 vs Pentax X90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P520 Portrait photography information
Pentax X90 Portrait photography information
41
manual focus
good MP (18MP)
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
29
you can focus manually
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon P520 Street photography advice
Pentax X90 Street photography advice
51
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than competition (550g)
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P520 Sports photography factors
Pentax X90 Sports photography factors
46
amazing zoom range (24-1000mm 41.7 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
no phase detect AF
42
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P520 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax X90 as a Travel photography camera
57
good MP (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (1000mm)
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
more heavy than competition (550 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
51
built-in flash
quite wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P520 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax X90 as a Landscape photography camera
46
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery pack (200 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
35
you can focus manually
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P520 Vlogging details
Pentax X90 Vlogging details
57
relatively wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
lack of microphone port
more heavy than competition (550 grams)
23
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic socket
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Nikon P520 vs Pentax X90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P520 and Pentax X90
 Nikon Coolpix P520Pentax X90
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix P520 Pentax X90
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-01-29 2010-07-06
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4896 x 3672 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1000mm (41.7x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2" 2.7"
Resolution of display 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 9.10 m
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 550 grams (1.21 pounds) 428 grams (0.94 pounds)
Physical dimensions 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") 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 200 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL5 D-L106
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $380 $350