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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax H90

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Pentax Optio H90 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax H90 Key Specs

Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
Pentax H90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 153g - 101 x 65 x 28mm
  • Revealed January 2010
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax H90 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Panasonic S2 vs Pentax H90, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the S2 (14MP) and the H90 (12MP) is pretty comparable and they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S2 was revealed 24 months after the H90 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief view of how the S2 grades against the H90 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Pentax H90

 S2 H90 
RevealedJanuary 2012January 2010Newer by 24 months

Reasons to pick Pentax H90 over the Panasonic S2

 H90 S2 
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Pentax H90

 S2 H90 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax H90 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic S2 features external dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) while the Pentax H90 has specifications of 101mm x 65mm x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 153 grams (0.34 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic S2 vs Pentax H90 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the S2 against the H90.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax H90 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S2 and H90 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax H90 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax H90 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions only by checking out a spec sheet. The picture here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the S2 and H90.

As you can see, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Panasonic S2 to provide extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The younger S2 is going to have an edge in sensor innovation.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax H90 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax H90 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax H90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 Portrait photography features
Pentax H90 Portrait photography features
33
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
27
manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Street photography camera
Pentax H90 as a Street photography camera
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (112 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S2 Sports photography info
Pentax H90 Sports photography info
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
great battery (280 CIPA)
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S2 Travel photography information
Pentax H90 Travel photography information
70
great battery (280 per charge)
lighter than average in class (112g)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
57
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax H90 as a Landscape photography camera
41
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
great battery (280 per charge)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
36
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax H90 as a Vlogging camera
32
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than average in class (112 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone jack
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax H90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Pentax H90
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Pentax Optio H90
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Pentax Optio H90
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-01-09 2010-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 4.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 112 gr (0.25 lbs) 153 gr (0.34 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 101 x 65 x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 280 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $109 $150