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Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax E90

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
53
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-1 front
 
Pentax Optio E90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
11
Overall
24

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax E90 Key Specs

Olympus SH-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Launched March 2014
  • Updated by Olympus SH-2
Pentax E90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 32-95mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 145g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Released January 2010
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Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax E90 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Olympus SH-1 versus Pentax E90, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the SH-1 (16MP) and E90 (10MP) but they use the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SH-1 was revealed 4 years later than the E90 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a brief overview of how the SH-1 scores vs the E90 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-1 over the Pentax E90

 SH-1 E90 
ReleasedMarch 2014January 2010Fresher by 51 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax E90 over the Olympus SH-1

 E90 SH-1 

Common features in the Olympus SH-1 and Pentax E90

 SH-1 E90 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax E90 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus SH-1 features outer dimensions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Pentax E90 has proportions of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SH-1 versus Pentax E90 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SH-1 compared to the E90.

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax E90 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SH-1 and E90 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax E90 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax E90 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing just by looking at technical specs. The visual underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SH-1 and E90.

As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Olympus SH-1 to give you extra detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more modern SH-1 will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax E90 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax E90 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax E90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SH-1
Portrait photography with Pentax E90
37
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes face detect focus
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
19
no manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Street photography details
Pentax E90 Street photography details
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes touch focus
lighter than others (271 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
47
fixed screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Sports photography advice
Pentax E90 Sports photography advice
51
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery pack (380 CIPA)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
16
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Travel photography factors
Pentax E90 Travel photography factors
74
better than average battery pack (380 CIPA)
lighter than others (271g)
includes touch focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
50
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
low megapixels (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Landscape photography factors
Pentax E90 Landscape photography factors
49
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
better than average battery pack (380 per charge)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
22
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Vlogging features
Pentax E90 Vlogging features
37
reasonably wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic port
lighter than others (271g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
22
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
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Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax E90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-1 and Pentax E90
 Olympus Stylus SH-1Pentax Optio E90
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus Stylus SH-1 Pentax Optio E90
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-03-31 2010-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII Prime
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 3
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 32-95mm (3.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 6cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 3.50 m
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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 271g (0.60 pounds) 145g (0.32 pounds)
Dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" 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 380 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-92B 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $349 $100