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Pentax E90 vs Sony S980

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
11
Overall
24
Pentax Optio E90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Pentax E90 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Pentax E90
(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
Sony S980
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Pentax E90 over the Sony S980

 E90 S980 
ReleasedJanuary 2010February 2009Newer 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kThe 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax E90 vs Sony S980 size comparison

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

Pentax E90 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax E90 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax E90 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax E90 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
19
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
27
manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax E90 Street photography details
Sony S980 Street photography details
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
47
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax E90 Sports photography highlights
Sony S980 Sports photography highlights
16
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax E90
Travel photography with Sony S980
50
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
51
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
low MP (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax E90 Landscape photography info
Sony S980 Landscape photography info
22
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
27
manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax E90 Vlogging info
Sony S980 Vlogging info
22
wide angle not fantastic (32mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic jack
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone support
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Pentax E90 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax E90 and Sony S980
 Pentax Optio E90Sony 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