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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax W90

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax W90 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Announced January 2014
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 SZ8 vs Pentax W90 Overview

Following is a detailed review of the Panasonic SZ8 versus Pentax W90, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and W90 (12MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ8 was unveiled 3 years after the W90 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a short overview of how the SZ8 matches up against the W90 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax W90

 SZ8 W90 
RevealedJanuary 2014February 2010More modern by 48 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Panasonic SZ8

 W90 SZ8 
Manually focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax W90

 SZ8 W90 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ8 has got external measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Pentax W90 has proportions of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic SZ8 versus Pentax W90 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ8 versus the W90.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and W90 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes simply by looking through specifications. The picture here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ8 and W90.

Plainly, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ8 to render more detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The fresher SZ8 provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Portrait photography camera
35
megapixel count good (16MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
27
has manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography details
Pentax W90 Street photography details
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (159 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
54
environment proof
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Sports photography camera
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (200 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
24
environment proof
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography factors
Pentax W90 Travel photography factors
67
lighter than average in class (159 grams)
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (288mm)
missing Timelapse mode
bad battery pack (200 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
64
environment proof
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography info
Pentax W90 Landscape photography info
42
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery pack (200 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
37
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging features
Pentax W90 Vlogging features
32
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (159 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone jack
25
decently wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic port
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax W90
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax Optio W90
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Announced 2014-01-06 2010-02-24
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine 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 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.20 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159 gr (0.35 pounds) 164 gr (0.36 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 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 200 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $275 $120