Clicky

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax H90

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax Optio H90 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax H90 Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2011
Pentax H90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 153g - 101 x 65 x 28mm
  • Released January 2010
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax H90 Overview

The following is a comprehensive overview of the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax H90, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the H90 (12MP) is very similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

The S3 was brought out 12 months after the H90 and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a full comparison, here is a concise overview of how the S3 matches up against the H90 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax H90

 S3 H90 
ReleasedJanuary 2011January 2010Newer by 12 months

Reasons to pick Pentax H90 over the Panasonic S3

 H90 S3 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax H90

 S3 H90 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display size
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax H90 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic S3 comes with external dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Pentax H90 has sizing of 101mm x 65mm x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 153 grams (0.34 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax H90 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using during that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the S3 vs the H90.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax H90 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and H90 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax H90 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax H90 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to picture the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading a spec sheet. The picture here might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3 and H90.

Clearly, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic S3 to deliver more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more modern S3 provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax H90 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax H90 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax H90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax H90 as a Portrait photography camera
28
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
has manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S3
Street photography with Pentax H90
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic S3
Sports photography with Pentax H90
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
31
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S3
Travel photography with Pentax H90
68
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
57
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography information
Pentax H90 Landscape photography information
38
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
36
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax H90 as a Vlogging camera
31
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic jack
28
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone port
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax H90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax H90
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax Optio H90
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax Optio H90
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-01-05 2010-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IV 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 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 4.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 117 grams (0.26 lb) 153 grams (0.34 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 101 x 65 x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 250 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - 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, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $110 $150