Panasonic LX100 II vs. Pentax X90: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Compacts from Different Worlds

When it comes to choosing a compact camera, there’s a subtle but crucial divide: high-quality large sensor compacts designed for image excellence, and versatile superzoom bridge cameras built for reach and convenience. The Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II and the Pentax X90 represent two very different corners of that spectrum. I’ve spent significant hands-on time with both, putting their strengths and quirks through real-world tests so you can decide what suits your photography style and needs.

Feel and Size: Handling and Build That Matter in the Field

From the moment you pick them up, the LX100 II and X90 feel quite distinct. Panasonic’s LX100 II is a large sensor compact camera, modestly sized at 115 x 66 x 64 mm and weighing 392 grams. It offers a blend of pocketability and ergonomic refinement that’s rare in this class. The body’s solid aluminum alloy shell sits comfortably in hand, and controls are logically placed.

In contrast, the Pentax X90 is a hefty bridge camera with dimensions of 111 x 85 x 110 mm and a weight of 428 grams, more SLR-style in shape and grip. Its silhouette screams "superzoom" with a pronounced lens barrel that accommodates an astounding 26x zoom range. However, that size bulk and grip profile make it more suitable for one-handed shooting on a tripod or with a strap rather than casual pocket carry.

The LX100 II’s smaller footprint and lighter body truly shine when you’re out for travel, street photography, or any occasion where discreteness and comfort count more than lens reach. Meanwhile, the X90 feels like a camera you bring specifically when zoom range and power take priority, and you don’t mind a bit of weight for those telephoto shots.

This physical comparison is nicely visualized in the image above, highlighting the difference in bulk and ergonomics.

Design and Controls: Intuitive or Traditional?

Both cameras feature fixed lenses and fully manual exposure controls, yet their approach to handling couldn’t be more different.

The LX100 II’s top deck is a study in streamlined versatility - aperture ring directly on the lens, a dedicated shutter speed dial, and a combined mode dial that makes switching between exposure modes intuitive. For photographers who love the tactile joy of adjusting aperture precisely or snapping at fast shutter speeds, this design is a joy.

By contrast, the X90 leans more on traditional bridge style controls: a mode dial and a few multi-function buttons, but fewer dedicated dials for direct exposure adjustments. User interface is functional but can feel a little dated and less refined, especially if you want to jump quickly from manual to aperture-priority without diving into menus.

If you prefer hands-on exposure setting dials and a classic photography feel, the Panasonic feels a lot more satisfying in use. Pentax’s X90 offers solid if somewhat pedestrian handling tailored more towards casual superzoom users and beginners.

Sensor and Image Quality: Where Size Makes a World of Difference

Here’s where the story really diverges - sensor tech and resulting image quality.

The Panasonic LX100 II sports a large Four Thirds sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm with 17 megapixels resolution, paired with a powerful Venus Engine processor. This sensor size significantly outclasses the tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor in the Pentax X90 (6.08 x 4.56 mm with 12 megapixels). That translates directly to lower noise, wider dynamic range, and more latitude in post-processing for Panasonic’s model.

In practical terms, the LX100 II delivers exceptionally clean images up to ISO 1600 and usable photos beyond ISO 3200, which is rare for compact cameras. The sensor’s Four Thirds size also means shallower depth of field potential for beautiful subject isolation and creamy bokeh in portraits.

The Pentax X90’s small sensor is limiting here: images suffer from more noise at anything above native ISO 100 or 200, and dynamic range is narrower - shadows tend to clip quickly. The 26x zoom range is impressive but comes at the price of reduced image quality, especially at longer focal lengths due to smaller sensor photoreceptor size.

So if image fidelity, tonal gradation, and low-light usability are priorities for you, the Panasonic holds a major advantage.

LCD and Viewfinder: Clarity and Interface Usability

Both cameras provide electronic viewfinders and fixed LCD screens, but they differ in resolution and interface features.

The LX100 II sports a 3-inch touchscreen LCD with 1.24 million dots and a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) of 2.76 million dots. This EVF offers a bright, sharp window for composing shots with 100% frame coverage and a 0.7x magnification - ideal for accuracy in manual focus or tricky lighting.

Meanwhile, the Pentax X90 features a 2.7-inch non-touch LCD with only 230k dots, and its EVF lacks detailed specs and is generally less sharp or responsive than LX100 II. The absence of touchscreen limits quick menu navigation and pinch-to-zoom in playback.

My testing found Panasonic’s interface quicker and more intuitive, especially for adjusting focus points, white balance, and exposure settings. The X90’s user interface feels dated as well and slower to react, a minor but notable friction point during fast-moving shooting scenarios.

Autofocus and Macro performance: Precision vs. Superzoom Versatility

The LX100 II deploys contrast-detection autofocus with 49 focus points, face detection, touch focus, and continuous AF modes including tracking. Though not as lightning-fast as modern hybrid AF on higher-end models, it performs admirably in daylight and moderate low light. For macro, it focuses as close as 3 cm, allowing true close-up shots with sharp detail, aided by optical image stabilization.

Pentax X90 has a 9-point AF system with center-weighted metering and sensor-shift stabilization. It’s slower and less precise, struggling in low contrast or low light, and lacks face or eye detection. It can focus as close as just 1 cm, impressive for macro reach, but image softness due to sensor limitations diminishes truly crisp results.

For wildlife or sports where autofocus speed and tracking matter, neither is a pro-level performer, but Panasonic’s continuous AF tracking is notably better, especially coupled with its faster burst shooting.

Zoom and Aperture: Fast Prime-Equivalent or Incredible Range?

Lens speed and focal length often define which camera fits your style best.

Panasonic’s 24-75mm (equivalent) lens translates to a versatile short zoom range with a bright aperture of f/1.7-2.8, offering excellent low-light capability and shallow depth of field for portraits or street photography. This fast aperture combined with a large sensor is ideal for artistic bokeh and controlling background blur.

On the other hand, Pentax’s X90 boasts a jaw-dropping 26-676 mm lens, a 26x telephoto zoom monster designed for reach - from wide-angle to distant subjects, wildlife, or sports events. However, its lens aperture narrows significantly to f/5.0 at the telephoto end, which restricts low-light performance and shallow depth of field.

If you seek reach and flexibility in one lens, the Pentax’s zoom dominates, but the Panasonic’s lens is optically superior with better sharpness and brightness over its zoom range.

Burst Speed, Shutter, and Video: Capturing Fast Action and Moving Moments

Both cameras support burst shooting but with different capabilities: LX100 II offers up to 11 fps continuous shooting, which is excellent for this class, while the X90 doesn’t specify continuous rate in standard terms and tends to be slower due to older tech.

In shutter speeds, Panasonic offers an electronic shutter up to 1/16000s for freezing action in bright light, which Pentax lacks.

Video-wise, the LX100 II delivers crisp 4K UHD at 30p with a max bitrate of 100 Mbps supporting MP4 and AVCHD codecs. Unfortunately, it lacks a microphone input, so audio monitoring is limited.

The Pentax X90 shoots HD 720p video at 30 fps with only Motion JPEG compression - more suited for casual video and not professional use.

For hybrid shooting (photo + video), the LX100 II is clearly the better choice, especially for travel or vlogging (just remember external audio options are limited).

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: Real-World Practicalities

Panasonic’s LX100 II uses a DMW-BLE9 lithium-ion battery rated for roughly 340 shots per charge, which is typical but slightly below average for larger sensor compact cameras. Charging via USB is convenient on the go.

The Pentax X90 uses the D-L106 battery with unspecified endurance, though user reports suggest moderate life owing to its bridge camera design.

Each uses a single SD card slot, with the LX100 II supporting UHS-I for faster write speeds, beneficial when shooting 4K video or continuous bursts.

Connectivity-wise, Panasonic includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for image transfer and remote control via smartphone apps. Pentax X90 offers Wi-Fi tethering through Eye-Fi integration but lacks Bluetooth or NFC, so wireless options are limited.

For any modern workflow involving quick sharing or remote usage, Panasonic’s connectivity package feels more future-proof and convenient.

Durability and Weather Sealing: Use Confidence in Tough Conditions

Neither camera offers extensive environmental sealing, dustproofing, or shock resistance. Both models are best kept protected from rain or dust exposure.

This factor mildly favors Panasonic’s LX100 II, with its more recent build and metal chassis providing a bit more robustness for casual outdoor use.

Image Samples and Performance Scores: Bringing It All Together Visually

After extensive shooting tests in varied lighting scenarios - urban portraits, landscapes, wildlife snippets, and street scenes - I curated side-by-side samples that showcase the differences.

Panasonic LX100 II front Panasonic LX100 II screen back Pentax X90 front Pentax X90 screen back

You’ll notice Panasonic’s shots have cleaner details, better color gradients, and superior noise control in shadows and highlights. The Pentax delivers surprisingly sharp images at wide angles but gets soft and noisy at telephoto extremes and in low light.

To quantify overall effectiveness, here are my compiled performance ratings based on image quality, autofocus, handling, video, and value.

Which Camera Excels in Each Photography Style?

Different photographic disciplines demand distinct strengths. Below is a breakdown per genre, incorporating my extensive testing notes:

• Portraits: Panasonic LX100 II shines with better skin tone rendering, fast f/1.7 aperture for creamy bokeh, and effective face detection autofocus. Pentax’s deeper depth of field and slower aperture limit separation but is workable with good lighting.

• Landscape: LX100 II benefits from larger sensor, better dynamic range, and Four Thirds resolution for detailed landscapes. X90’s ultra-wide 26mm equivalent starting focal length and lightweight fallback make it a casual landscape option if zoom and weight are priorities.

• Wildlife: Pentax X90’s extraordinary 676mm reach rules here, especially for distant birds or animals. But autofocus speed and low light performance lag behind the LX100 II, which is limited by shorter 75mm max reach.

• Sports: LX100 II’s superior burst speed and continuous AF offer better chances to capture action, but zoom limits framing options. X90’s zoom covers a lot but autofocus tracking is sluggish.

• Street Photography: LX100 II’s compact size, fast lens, and responsive AF make it ideal. The X90 is bulky, less discreet, and slower to operate, so less suitable.

• Macro: The LX100 II captures sharp macro with its 3 cm close focus and stabilized lens. Pentax’s 1 cm macro focusing is impressive but constrained by sensor size and image softness.

• Night/Astro: LX100 II’s large sensor performs admirably at high ISO, while X90’s older tech limits night performance drastically.

• Video: Panasonic’s 4K video is a clear winner. Pentax outputs low-res 720p at best.

• Travel: LX100 II’s size, image quality, and versatility make it my pick here. X90’s zoom range is tempting but bulk and quality trade-offs lower its appeal.

• Professional Use: Panasonic offers raw shooting, better firmware, and file handling. Pentax lacks raw capture and modern workflow support.

Price and Value: Investing Wisely

As of this writing, the Panasonic LX100 II is priced around $998, positioning it in the premium compact segment, justified by its image quality, lens speed, and 4K video features.

The Pentax X90 comes in at a budget $350 level, aimed at consumers wanting massive zoom without a reflex camera or mirrorless system. Its compromise lies in lower image quality and dated features, but it delivers unparalleled zoom at an affordable price.

If you value image quality, lens performance, and video, the LX100 II’s price tag is reasonable. If telephoto reach at a low cost is your key concern, the X90 is your go-to.

My Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Choosing between the Panasonic LX100 II and Pentax X90 boils down to your photographic priorities.

If you’re a photography enthusiast or professional who values exceptional image quality, manual controls, and a fast lens in a compact package, the Panasonic LX100 II is the clear choice. It suits portraits, street, landscape, macro, and hybrid video shooters perfectly. My personal preference leans towards this camera for its overall balance and handling finesse.

On the other hand, if your primary focus is telephoto zoom for wildlife, sports from afar, or general all-in-one convenience with a limited budget, the Pentax X90 is an attractive option. It compromises on image quality but delivers reach no other compact can match at this price.

Both cameras serve very different user needs well. I recommend the Panasonic LX100 II for anyone who wants a versatile, image-first compact camera with excellent manual controls. The Pentax X90 fits casual shooters who prioritize zoom power over every other feature.

I hope this detailed exploration helps you find your ideal compact companion. Got questions or want my detailed video test walkthrough? Just reach out - always happy to share my experiences!

Happy shooting!