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Nikon S100 vs Pentax W90

Portability
94
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Nikon Coolpix S100 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Nikon S100 vs Pentax W90 Key Specs

Nikon S100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
  • 175g - 99 x 65 x 18mm
  • Introduced August 2011
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Released February 2010
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Nikon S100 vs Pentax W90 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Nikon S100 and Pentax W90, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the S100 (16MP) and W90 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S100 was introduced 19 months after the W90 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the S100 scores against the W90 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S100 over the Pentax W90

 S100 W90 
ReleasedAugust 2011February 2010Newer by 19 months
Screen dimensions3.5"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.8")
Screen resolution820k230kSharper screen (+590k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Nikon S100

 W90 S100 

Common features in the Nikon S100 and Pentax W90

 S100 W90 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Nikon S100 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera often, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon S100 has external measurements of 99mm x 65mm x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Pentax W90 has measurements of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Compare the Nikon S100 and Pentax W90 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the S100 compared to the W90.

Nikon S100 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S100 and W90 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S100 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S100 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions just by looking through technical specs. The pic below should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the S100 and W90.

As you can tell, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should expect the Nikon S100 to result in more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The newer S100 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon S100 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Nikon S100 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S100 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S100 Portrait photography factors
Pentax W90 Portrait photography factors
40
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has face detect focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S100 Street photography advice
Pentax W90 Street photography advice
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
features focus via touch
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
54
environment proof
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S100 Sports photography info
Pentax W90 Sports photography info
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (150 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
24
environment proof
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S100 Travel photography advice
Pentax W90 Travel photography advice
65
features focus via touch
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low battery power (150 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
64
environment proof
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
resolution not great (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S100
Landscape photography with Pentax W90
45
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
bigger than average screen (3.5")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
low battery power (150 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
37
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
environment proof
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S100 Vlogging info
Pentax W90 Vlogging info
35
reasonably wide (28mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have mic support
25
decently wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
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Nikon S100 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S100 and Pentax W90
 Nikon Coolpix S100Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix S100 Pentax Optio W90
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Introduced 2011-08-24 2010-02-24
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 Prime
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.9-4.8 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.5" 2.7"
Display resolution 820k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology Organic LED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 175g (0.39 lb) 164g (0.36 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 65 x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" 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 150 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL12 D-LI68
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $240 $120