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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax W90

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax W90 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Released February 2010
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax W90 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Panasonic SZ1 versus Pentax W90, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ1 (16MP) and W90 (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was introduced 23 months later than the W90 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the SZ1 grades against the W90 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Pentax W90

 SZ1 W90 
ReleasedJanuary 2012February 2010Fresher by 23 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Panasonic SZ1

 W90 SZ1 
Manually focus Very exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax W90

 SZ1 W90 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera, you have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ1 has outer dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Pentax W90 has specifications of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ1 versus Pentax W90 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the SZ1 against the W90.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ1 and W90 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to see the gap between sensor sizing purely by going over specifications. The graphic below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ1 and W90.

To sum up, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Panasonic SZ1 to offer you greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The younger SZ1 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography features
Pentax W90 Portrait photography features
34
decent MP (16 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
focusing manually
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Street photography camera
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (131 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
54
environment proof
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ1
Sports photography with Pentax W90
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
24
environment proof
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography information
Pentax W90 Travel photography information
70
lighter than others in class (131 grams)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
64
environment proof
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography features
Pentax W90 Landscape photography features
43
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
37
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging details
Pentax W90 Vlogging details
32
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (131 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic jack
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax W90
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Pentax Optio W90
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Announced 2012-01-09 2010-02-24
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 4cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 131 grams (0.29 lb) 164 grams (0.36 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" 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 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $179 $120