Pentax E90 vs Sony HX20V
94 Imaging
33 Features
11 Overall
24


90 Imaging
42 Features
50 Overall
45
Pentax E90 vs Sony HX20V Key Specs
(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
- Revealed January 2010
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
- 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
- Released July 2012
- Superseded the Sony HX10V
- Successor is Sony HX30V

Pentax E90 vs Sony HX20V Overview
On this page, we will be contrasting the Pentax E90 and Sony HX20V, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the E90 (10MP) and HX20V (18MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The E90 was launched 3 years before the HX20V and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a simple summation of how the E90 grades against the HX20V when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax E90 vs Sony HX20V Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Optio E90 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V. The complete galleries are available at Pentax E90 Gallery & Sony HX20V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax E90 over the Sony HX20V
E90 | HX20V |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Pentax E90
HX20V | E90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2012 | ![]() | January 2010 | Fresher by 30 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax E90 and Sony HX20V
E90 | HX20V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Pentax E90 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison
When you are intending to carry your camera, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax E90 enjoys physical measurements of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs) while the Sony HX20V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).
Check the Pentax E90 and Sony HX20V in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the E90 compared to the HX20V.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E90 and HX20V is 94 and 90 respectively.

Pentax E90 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing purely by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph below may give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E90 and HX20V.
As you can see, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Sony HX20V to produce greater detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The older E90 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Pentax E90 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax E90 vs Sony HX20V Specifications
Pentax Optio E90 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax Optio E90 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2010-01-25 | 2012-07-20 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Prime | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 18MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4896 x 3672 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 3 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 32-95mm (3.0x) | 25-500mm (20.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.2-5.8 |
Macro focusing distance | 6cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.7" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 922k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | - | XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | - | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 7.10 m |
Flash options | - | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 145g (0.32 lb) | 254g (0.56 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") | 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 320 photos |
Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail pricing | $100 | $397 |