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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax H90

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Pentax Optio H90 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax H90 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Announced July 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
  • Introduced January 2010
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax H90 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax H90, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the H90 (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ5 was announced 2 years after the H90 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SZ5 matches up vs the H90 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax H90

 SZ5 H90 
IntroducedJuly 2012January 2010Newer by 31 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax H90 over the Panasonic SZ5

 H90 SZ5 
Focus manually Very accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax H90

 SZ5 H90 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax H90 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ5 provides external dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Pentax H90 has sizing of 101mm x 65mm x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 153 grams (0.34 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax H90 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is a front view scale comparison of the SZ5 against the H90.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax H90 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SZ5 and H90 is 95 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax H90 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax H90 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions just by researching a spec sheet. The image here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ5 and H90.

As you can see, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Panasonic SZ5 to result in greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The fresher SZ5 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax H90 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax H90 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax H90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ5
Portrait photography with Pentax H90
34
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
27
you can focus manually
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography details
Pentax H90 Street photography details
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (136 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax H90 as a Sports photography camera
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
31
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ5
Travel photography with Pentax H90
70
lighter than others in class (136 grams)
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
no Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
57
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax H90 as a Landscape photography camera
42
quite wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Timelapse mode
36
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging factors
Pentax H90 Vlogging factors
32
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than others in class (136g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone support
28
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone jack
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax H90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax H90
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax Optio H90
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax Optio H90
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-07-18 2010-01-25
Body design 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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 4.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 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 file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136 grams (0.30 pounds) 153 grams (0.34 pounds)
Physical dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 101 x 65 x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1")
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 -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $195 $150