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Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax W90

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Olympus SH-50 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax W90 Key Specs

Olympus SH-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 269g - 112 x 63 x 42mm
  • Launched January 2013
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
  • Announced February 2010
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Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax W90 Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax W90, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the SH-50 (16MP) and W90 (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SH-50 was brought out 2 years after the W90 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SH-50 matches up against the W90 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-50 over the Pentax W90

 SH-50 W90 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013February 2010More modern by 35 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Olympus SH-50

 W90 SH-50 

Common features in the Olympus SH-50 and Pentax W90

 SH-50 W90 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you should consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus SH-50 has exterior dimensions of 112mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Pentax W90 has proportions of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Check the Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax W90 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SH-50 against the W90.

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SH-50 and W90 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes just by going over technical specs. The image underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SH-50 and W90.

As you have seen, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Olympus SH-50 to deliver extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The newer SH-50 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SH-50
Portrait photography with Pentax W90
44
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
27
manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-50 as a Street photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Street photography camera
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch focus
lighter than average in class (269 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
54
environment sealing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Sports photography info
Pentax W90 Sports photography info
48
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
24
environment sealing
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Travel photography highlights
Pentax W90 Travel photography highlights
69
lighter than average in class (269g)
includes touch focus
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
64
environment sealing
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SH-50
Landscape photography with Pentax W90
49
you can focus manually
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
37
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Vlogging advice
Pentax W90 Vlogging advice
34
pretty wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (269g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
25
rather wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone port
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Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-50 and Pentax W90
 Olympus SH-50Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SH-50 Pentax Optio W90
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2013-01-08 2010-02-24
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI Prime
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync 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 (60fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 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, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 grams (0.59 pounds) 164 grams (0.36 pounds)
Dimensions 112 x 63 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") 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 ID SLB-10A D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $300 $120