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Nikon S9100 vs Pentax W90

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
41
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix S9100 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Nikon S9100 vs Pentax W90 Key Specs

Nikon S9100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 105 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Refreshed by Nikon S9300
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
  • Introduced February 2010
Photography Glossary

Nikon S9100 vs Pentax W90 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Nikon S9100 versus Pentax W90, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof by brands Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the S9100 (12MP) and the W90 (12MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S9100 was launched 17 months after the W90 which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a concise summary of how the S9100 grades versus the W90 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9100 over the Pentax W90

 S9100 W90 
IntroducedJuly 2011February 2010More modern by 17 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Nikon S9100

 W90 S9100 

Common features in the Nikon S9100 and Pentax W90

 S9100 W90 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Nikon S9100 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon S9100 has got outer dimensions of 105mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Pentax W90 has specifications of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Look at the Nikon S9100 versus Pentax W90 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the S9100 vs the W90.

Nikon S9100 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S9100 and W90 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S9100 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizes merely by going through a spec sheet. The pic below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the S9100 and W90.

As you can see, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same resolution so you should expect comparable quality of pictures though you may want to take the production date of the cameras into account. The more modern S9100 provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon S9100 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9100 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9100 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9100 Portrait photography advice
Pentax W90 Portrait photography advice
32
you can focus manually
includes face detect autofocus
no manual control
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
27
manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S9100
Street photography with Pentax W90
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (214g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
54
environment proofing
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S9100 Sports photography details
Pentax W90 Sports photography details
36
excellent zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (270 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
24
environment proofing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9100 Travel photography information
Pentax W90 Travel photography information
61
lighter than competition (214g)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (450mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (270 shots)
low MP (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
64
environment proofing
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S9100
Landscape photography with Pentax W90
39
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
terrible battery life (270 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
37
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
environment proofing
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S9100
Vlogging with Pentax W90
34
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (214 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of mic jack
25
rather wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic socket
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Nikon S9100 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9100 and Pentax W90
 Nikon Coolpix S9100Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix S9100 Pentax Optio W90
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2011-07-19 2010-02-24
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 Prime
Sensor type BSI-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 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 160 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 4cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 3.90 m
Flash modes 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 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214 gr (0.47 lbs) 164 gr (0.36 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 62 x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 270 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL12 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $329 $120