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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E90

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Pentax Optio E90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
11
Overall
24

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E90 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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
  • Launched January 2010
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E90 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E90, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the SZ1 (16MP) and E90 (10MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was announced 24 months later than the E90 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a thorough comparison, here is a short summation of how the SZ1 grades against the E90 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Pentax E90

 SZ1 E90 
LaunchedJanuary 2012January 2010More recent by 24 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax E90 over the Panasonic SZ1

 E90 SZ1 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax E90

 SZ1 E90 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E90 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ1 comes with exterior dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Pentax E90 has specifications of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E90 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ1 versus the E90.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E90 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ1 and E90 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E90 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E90 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to picture the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reviewing specifications. The photograph below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ1 and E90.

Plainly, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic SZ1 to deliver more detail with its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The younger SZ1 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E90 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E90 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ1
Portrait photography with Pentax E90
34
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low resolution (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax E90 as a Street photography camera
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (131g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography advice
Pentax E90 Sports photography advice
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
16
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax E90 as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than competitors in class (131 grams)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
does not have Timelapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
50
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
low resolution (10 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax E90 as a Landscape photography camera
43
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
22
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging info
Pentax E90 Vlogging info
32
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (131 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone port
22
wide angle not good (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone support
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax E90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax E90
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Pentax Optio E90
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Pentax Optio E90
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-01-09 2010-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 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 photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 32-95mm (3.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 4cm 6cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 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 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 131g (0.29 lbs) 145g (0.32 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 250 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - 2 x AA
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
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $179 $100