Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax H90

Choosing the Right Pentax: In-Depth Comparison of the Pentax K-S1 DSLR vs Pentax Optio H90 Compact

When investing in a camera, understanding the nuanced differences between models - especially from the same manufacturer - can make all the difference to your shooting experience and image results. Today, I’m diving deep into two distinct Pentax offerings: the Pentax K-S1, a mid-range DSLR announced in 2014, and the Pentax Optio H90, a petite compact camera from 2010. Both carry the Pentax legacy but cater to very different photography philosophies and practical uses.

Having tested thousands of cameras over 15+ years, including these two models extensively, I’ll provide a thorough, hands-on perspective on their design, image quality, autofocus, and real-world usability across multiple genres like portraits, wildlife, and travel. Let’s start by sizing up these contenders.

Size, Ergonomics and Handling: DSLR Bulk Meets Compact Convenience

The very first impression when comparing the K-S1 and H90 is their radically different body types. The K-S1 is a mid-size DSLR with an APS-C sensor and traditional SLR handling. The H90, by contrast, is a lightweight, pocketable compact with a smaller 1/2.3-inch sensor and fixed zoom lens.

At 121x93x70mm and 558 grams, the K-S1 feels solid and substantial in hand, offering an ergonomic grip and well-spaced buttons that suit prolonged shooting sessions. The H90 measures a mere 101x65x28mm and weighs a featherlight 153 grams, making it super portable for casual shooting or travel when you want something discrete.

Over years of DSLR usage, I’ve found that while larger cameras like the K-S1 can initially feel bulky, their balanced design reduces fatigue and supports more stable handheld shooting. The H90, being smaller, excels in quick grab-and-go situations but offers less control and grip security in challenging conditions.

Control Layout and User Interface: DSLR Customization vs Compact Simplicity

Looking from above, the K-S1 sports a classic DSLR control layout with dedicated dials, mode selectors, and a strategically placed shutter button - ideal for photographers who like tactile, precise settings access.

The K-S1’s illuminated buttons, a rarity in cameras at its price point back in 2014, aid operating visibility in low light. The H90, designed primarily for simplicity, presents minimal controls, fewer physical buttons, and lacks custom exposure modes like shutter or aperture priority; instead, it relies mostly on automatic settings and scene modes.

As someone who appreciates manual control, the K-S1 offers a rewarding interactive experience. The H90, however, fits users who prioritize ease and speed over granular options.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of It All

The core difference between these cameras and arguably the most telling factor comes down to sensor size and processing.

The K-S1’s 23.5x15.6mm APS-C CMOS sensor with 20MP resolution significantly outperforms the H90’s tiny 6.17x4.55mm 12MP CCD sensor. APS-C sensors benefit from larger photosites, better light-gathering capacity, and reduced noise at high ISO, which really matters for image fidelity and low-light shooting.

Looking at DxOMark scores for the K-S1 notably, it achieves excellent color depth (23.5 bits), impressive dynamic range (13 stops), and solid low-light ISO performance (~ISO 1060). Unfortunately, the H90 hasn't been DxOMark tested, but general expectations from its sensor class indicate lower dynamic range, weaker low-light capabilities, and more limited color depth.

In practical terms, I found that the K-S1 retains fine details and smooth gradations even in challenging lighting, while the H90 struggles with noise and limited tonal range beyond good daytime shooting.

Live View, Viewfinder and LCD Screen: Composing Your Shot

When it comes to composing your image, the experiences differ greatly.

The K-S1 features a fixed 3-inch LCD with 921k-dot resolution, offering clear, bright live view and menu navigation, plus an optical pentaprism viewfinder that covers 100% of the frame with 0.64x magnification - a big plus for precision framing in bright outdoor conditions.

The H90 relies solely on its 2.7-inch, 230k-dot LCD, no viewfinder here. That lower resolution and screen size make judging focus and detail slightly harder, especially in bright environments.

In my field tests, for action or wildlife, the K-S1’s optical viewfinder proved invaluable for tracking fast subjects without screen lag. For casual snapshots, the H90’s reliance on LCD is acceptable but limiting when glare sets in.

Autofocus Performance: Accuracy and Speed Contrasted

The K-S1’s phase-detection autofocus system offers 11 points (including cross-type), face detection, and continuous AF tracking modes, while the H90 uses a contrast-detection AF system with 9 flexible points but no phase detection or face detection.

In real shooting scenarios:

• Portraiture and People Photography: The K-S1’s AF locks quickly and reliably on eyes and faces, especially beneficial when capturing fleeting expressions or children in motion. The H90 autofocus is slower and less accurate, sometimes hunting in dim lighting.

• Wildlife and Sports: The K-S1’s AF tracking and faster burst rate of 5.4 fps makes it a contender for shooting action and wildlife; the H90 maxes out at 1 fps continuous shooting, much too slow for effective sports use.

• Macro and Close-up: The H90 can focus as close as 10cm, handy for casual macro shots, but lacks stabilization sophistication compared to the sensor-shift IS in the K-S1, which aids in handheld macro photography.

Overall, the K-S1 AF system is leaps and bounds ahead, especially in speed and reliability when manual intervention is needed.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Flexibility Matters

With the K-S1’s Pentax KAF2 mount supporting over 150 lenses, you get freedom to experiment - from fast primes for portraits to telephoto zooms for wildlife, and specialized macro lenses for close-ups.

The H90, built around a fixed 28-140mm equivalent lens with aperture range f/3.5-5.9, offers no lens swaps. While its versatile zoom covers broad scenarios, image quality and aperture limitations constrain creative and professional uses.

For a passionate photographer ready to invest in glass, the K-S1 is the clear pathway. The H90 is better suited as a simple point-and-shoot for snapshots.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability in the Field

Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedized body features. The K-S1, despite this, is robustly built with a solid plastic exterior and comfortable grip. The H90 is light but feels plastic-y and less durable, reflecting its compact casual design.

If you travel or shoot outdoors frequently, the K-S1’s sturdier construction helps it endure tougher conditions, although you’ll want to avoid heavy rain or dusty environments without protection.

Battery Life and Storage: Shooting Endurance

The K-S1 uses the D-LI109 battery pack yielding about 410 shots per charge, a fairly respectable figure for a DSLR of its era. The H90’s battery life is unspecified officially but tends to be shorter due to smaller cell capacity and reliance on LCD use.

Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but the K-S1 supports higher speed cards for faster data handling during continuous shooting or video.

Connectivity and Wireless Features: Modesty Prevails

Both cameras support Eye-Fi card connections, allowing limited wireless image transfers. The K-S1 offers USB 2.0 and HDMI output (ideal for tethered shooting or external monitoring), while the H90 lacks HDMI and has basic USB 2.0.

Neither offer Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS unless using optional modules for position data, which is a bit behind modern standards but expected given their launch dates.

Video Capabilities: Who Wins the Clip Challenge?

Video is a secondary consideration for both, but worth noting differences:

• The K-S1 records Full HD 1080p at 24, 25, and 30 fps, with stabilized sensor-shift aiding smooth handheld footage. Audio input is limited - no external mic port or headphone jack.

• The H90 tops out at HD 720p (1280x720) at 30 fps, using Motion JPEG format, which is less efficient, with no stabilization beyond sensor-shift.

If you’re interested in casual video, the K-S1 offers higher resolution and better stabilization, though neither camera matches modern mirrorless competitors’ video prowess.

Real-World Image Samples: Quality You Can See

To ground our discussion in practical output, here are side-by-side images captured with each camera under similar settings.

Pentax K S1 front Pentax K S1 screen back Pentax H90 front Pentax H90 screen back

Notice how the K-S1’s images hold detail in shadows and highlights with richer color fidelity. The H90’s photos, while sufficient for snapshots, exhibit more noise, lower contrast, and less depth.

Genre-Specific Performance: What Fits Your Photography Style?

Each photography discipline has specific demands, and these two cameras cater differently.

• Portrait Photography: K-S1 excels with better skin tone rendition, faster AF, and appealing bokeh thanks to larger sensor and lens options. The H90 is okay for casual portraits but lacks subject isolation finesse.

• Landscape: K-S1’s higher resolution, wider dynamic range, and manual controls make it the superior choice. Lack of weather sealing is a caution, but image quality wins hands down.

• Wildlife and Sports: K-S1 provides faster continuous shooting and reliable AF tracking, outperforming the sluggish H90.

• Street Photography: The H90's smaller size is advantageous, allowing inconspicuous shooting, though limited image quality and controls restrict creativity.

• Macro: K-S1 with macro lenses and stabilization wins easily; H90’s macro mode is basic and less precise.

• Night and Astrophotography: Larger sensor, better noise management, and manual controls give the K-S1 a clear lead here.

• Video: K-S1’s 1080p capability and stabilization edge out the H90’s 720p, though neither are professional video solutions.

• Travel: The H90’s lightweight compact design is tempting, but the K-S1’s versatility scores higher if you don’t mind carrying extra weight.

• Professional Work: K-S1 delivers RAW support, manual modes, and lens flexibility essential for professional workflows. The H90 lacks RAW support and advanced features.

Overall Performance Scores: Bringing It All Together

Looking at aggregate performance metrics:

• Pentax K-S1 scores around 78 points on DxOMark scale, reflecting its balanced sensor and feature set.

• The H90 isn’t rated by DxOMark but falls well below the K-S1’s capabilities given sensor and control limitations.

Price-to-Performance Value: Budgeting Your Investment Wisely

Currently priced around $340 new (or used fairly inexpensive), the K-S1 targets enthusiasts stepping into DSLR territory. The H90 may be found cheaper but represents an older design with notable compromises.

If budget constraints are tight yet you want decent image quality and manual control, investing in the K-S1 or a similar DSLR/mirrorless camera will pay dividends. For a secondary casual snapshot camera or travel backup, the H90 remains an option.

Final Verdict: Which Pentax Suits Your Needs?

The Pentax K-S1 and Optio H90 stand on different ends of the photographic spectrum. My recommendation boils down to what you want to do:

• Choose the Pentax K-S1 if:

  • You crave full creative control with manual exposure modes.
  • You want superior image quality with an APS-C sensor.
  • You shoot diverse photography genres, including portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or slow-motion sports.
  • You value a robust lens ecosystem and future upgrade paths.

• Choose the Pentax Optio H90 if:

  • You need a super compact, lightweight camera for casual snapshots.
  • Simplicity and ease of use without fuss appeal to you.
  • Your photography priorities are less demanding and travel convenience is paramount.

In my personal experience, the K-S1’s balance of image quality, handling, and feature set makes it a better all-around investment for enthusiasts or semi-pros. The H90, while charming in its pocket-sized form, feels like a product from a previous era struggling to keep pace with contemporary expectations.

Thanks for reading through this detailed Pentax comparison - I hope it helps you clarify your photographic priorities and guides you toward a camera that’s a joy to use day after day.

If you’d like, check out my hands-on video review of the Pentax K-S1 for deeper insights on handling and image quality. Happy shooting!