Pentax E90 vs Sony S980
94 Imaging
33 Features
11 Overall
24


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Pentax E90 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 32-95mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 145g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
- Introduced January 2010
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
- Released February 2009

Pentax E90 vs Sony S980 Overview
The following is a complete assessment of the Pentax E90 versus Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E90 (10MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively comparable and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The E90 was released 12 months after the S980 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the E90 scores versus the S980 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax E90 vs Sony S980 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio E90 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax E90 Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax E90 over the Sony S980
E90 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 12 months |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Pentax E90
S980 | E90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focusing |
Common features in the Pentax E90 and Sony S980
E90 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither contains Touch friendly screen |
Pentax E90 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax E90 has got external dimensions of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check the Pentax E90 versus Sony S980 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the E90 and the S980.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E90 and S980 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Pentax E90 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very hard to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by seeing specs. The picture here should provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E90 and S980.
As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Sony S980 to produce extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more modern E90 should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Pentax E90 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax E90 vs Sony S980 Specifications
Pentax Optio E90 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax Optio E90 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2010-01-25 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | 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 surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 3 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 32-95mm (3.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing range | 6cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.7" | 2.7" |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4 secs | 2 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 3.50 m |
Flash settings | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE 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 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 145g (0.32 pounds) | 167g (0.37 pounds) |
Dimensions | 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
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 ID | 2 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $100 | $300 |