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Pentax E90 vs Sony A230

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
11
Overall
24
Pentax Optio E90 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Pentax E90 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Pentax E90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 32-95mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 145g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Released January 2010
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A200
  • Newer Model is Sony A290
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Pentax E90 vs Sony A230 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Pentax E90 versus Sony A230, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the E90 (10MP) and the A230 (10MP) is relatively close but the E90 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizing.

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The E90 was announced 9 months later than the A230 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax E90 being a Compact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a brief view of how the E90 grades versus the A230 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax E90 over the Sony A230

 E90 A230 
IntroducedJanuary 2010May 2009Fresher by 9 months

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Pentax E90

 A230 E90 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Pentax E90 and Sony A230

 E90 A230 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Pentax E90 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax E90 enjoys physical dimensions of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs) while the Sony A230 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Check the Pentax E90 versus Sony A230 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the E90 against the A230.

Pentax E90 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E90 and A230 is 94 and 69 respectively.

Pentax E90 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Pentax E90 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing merely by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E90 and A230.

Clearly, the 2 cameras provide the same megapixels albeit not the same sensor sizing. The E90 has got the smaller sensor which will make getting shallow DOF more challenging. The newer E90 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax E90 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Pentax E90 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax E90 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax E90 Portrait photography details
Sony A230 Portrait photography details
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
54
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
megapixel count low (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax E90 Street photography info
Sony A230 Street photography info
47
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax E90
Sports photography with Sony A230
16
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
low battery (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax E90 Travel photography advice
Sony A230 Travel photography advice
50
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
45
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
low battery (230 per charge)
megapixel count low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax E90 Landscape photography advice
Sony A230 Landscape photography advice
22
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
51
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no liveview
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
low battery (230 shots)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax E90 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A230 as a Vlogging camera
22
wide angle not the best (32mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone jack
9
no video shooting
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Pentax E90 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax E90 and Sony A230
 Pentax Optio E90Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio E90 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2010-01-25 2009-05-18
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 32-95mm (3.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus range 6cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate - 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 10.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 145g (0.32 lb) 490g (1.08 lb)
Physical dimensions 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 63
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.4
DXO Low light score not tested 531
Other
Battery life - 230 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $100 $569