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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax W90

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax W90 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
  • Introduced January 2012
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Revealed February 2010
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax W90 Overview

Here is a in-depth assessment of the Panasonic S2 vs Pentax W90, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the S2 (14MP) and the W90 (12MP) is very comparable and they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S2 was introduced 23 months later than the W90 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a concise summary of how the S2 grades vs the W90 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Pentax W90

 S2 W90 
RevealedJanuary 2012February 2010Fresher by 23 months

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Panasonic S2

 W90 S2 
Focus manually Dial precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Pentax W90

 S2 W90 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display sizing
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S2 offers physical dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) and the Pentax W90 has dimensions of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") and a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic S2 vs Pentax W90 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the S2 vs the W90.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the S2 and W90 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing just by seeing specifications. The photograph here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the S2 and W90.

To sum up, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic S2 to provide more detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more recent S2 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax W90 Portrait photography highlights
33
decent megapixels (14MP)
has face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
has manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Street photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (112g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
54
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S2 Sports photography info
Pentax W90 Sports photography info
39
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
great battery pack (280 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
24
environment sealing
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S2 Travel photography info
Pentax W90 Travel photography info
70
great battery pack (280 CIPA)
lighter than average (112 grams)
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
64
environment sealing
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic S2
Landscape photography with Pentax W90
41
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
great battery pack (280 per charge)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
37
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
environment sealing
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax W90 as a Vlogging camera
32
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
lighter than average (112g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic support
25
really wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone port
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Pentax W90
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Pentax Optio W90
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Introduced 2012-01-09 2010-02-24
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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.30 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 112g (0.25 pounds) 164g (0.36 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
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 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $109 $120