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Olympus E-420 vs Pentax E90

Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Olympus E-420 front
 
Pentax Optio E90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
11
Overall
24

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax E90 Key Specs

Olympus E-420
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Released June 2008
  • Older Model is Olympus E-410
Pentax E90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 32-95mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 145g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Announced January 2010
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Olympus E-420 vs Pentax E90 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-420 and Pentax E90, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-420 (10MP) and the E90 (10MP) is fairly well matched but the E-420 (Four Thirds) and E90 (1/2.3") provide different sensor sizing.

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The E-420 was manufactured 19 months before the E90 making them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax E90 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the E-420 grades versus the E90 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Pentax E90

 E-420 E90 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Pentax E90 over the Olympus E-420

 E90 E-420 
AnnouncedJanuary 2010June 2008Newer by 19 months

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Pentax E90

 E-420 E90 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display measurement
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax E90 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-420 has outer measurements of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Pentax E90 has measurements of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") and a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-420 and Pentax E90 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-420 and the E90.

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax E90 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-420 and E90 is 77 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax E90 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax E90 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions just by looking at specifications. The picture underneath may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-420 and E90.

To sum up, both cameras provide the same resolution but different sensor dimensions. The E-420 contains the larger sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF easier. The more aged E-420 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax E90 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax E90 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax E90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-420 Portrait photography details
Pentax E90 Portrait photography details
56
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10MP)
19
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-420
Street photography with Pentax E90
64
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (426g)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-420 Sports photography info
Pentax E90 Sports photography info
38
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow fps (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
not so great battery power (500 per charge)
16
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-420 Travel photography factors
Pentax E90 Travel photography factors
52
lighter than competitors (426 grams)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (500 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
50
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low resolution (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-420
Landscape photography with Pentax E90
47
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
not so great battery power (500 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
22
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 Vlogging factors
Pentax E90 Vlogging factors
9
no video
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
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Olympus E-420 vs Pentax E90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Pentax E90
 Olympus E-420Pentax Optio E90
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-420 Pentax Optio E90
Type Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Released 2008-06-23 2010-01-25
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III Prime
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 3 3
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 32-95mm (3.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 6cm
Total lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426g (0.94 pounds) 145g (0.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 527 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $999 $100