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Pentax H90 vs Sony HX1

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Pentax Optio H90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33

Pentax H90 vs Sony HX1 Key Specs

Pentax H90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 153g - 101 x 65 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2010
Sony HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Revealed April 2009
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Pentax H90 vs Sony HX1 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Pentax H90 versus Sony HX1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the H90 (12MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the H90 (1/2.3") and HX1 (1/2.4") offer totally different sensor size.

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The H90 was introduced 10 months later than the HX1 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax H90 being a Compact camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the H90 scores versus the HX1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Pentax H90 over the Sony HX1

 H90 HX1 
RevealedJanuary 2010April 2009More recent by 10 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Pentax H90

 HX1 H90 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax H90 and Sony HX1

 H90 HX1 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Pentax H90 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Pentax H90 has got physical dimensions of 101mm x 65mm x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 153 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Sony HX1 has specifications of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") having a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax H90 versus Sony HX1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the H90 compared to the HX1.

Pentax H90 vs Sony HX1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the H90 and HX1 is 93 and 67 respectively.

Pentax H90 vs Sony HX1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax H90 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to visualise the difference in sensor measurements simply by seeing specifications. The visual below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the H90 and HX1.

Plainly, both the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The H90 having a larger sensor will make achieving bokeh simpler and the Pentax H90 will produce greater detail using its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images more aggressively. The more recent H90 is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Pentax H90 vs Sony HX1 sensor size comparison

Pentax H90 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax H90 vs Sony HX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax H90 Portrait photography advice
Sony HX1 Portrait photography advice
27
has manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
27
you can focus manually
cannot use external flash
low resolution (9 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax H90 Street photography factors
Sony HX1 Street photography factors
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
50
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than others (544 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax H90 Sports photography highlights
Sony HX1 Sports photography highlights
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
36
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
low resolution (9MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax H90 Travel photography highlights
Sony HX1 Travel photography highlights
57
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
48
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than others (544 grams)
low resolution (9 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax H90
Landscape photography with Sony HX1
36
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
39
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
low resolution (9 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax H90 Vlogging info
Sony HX1 Vlogging info
28
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone support
22
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1440 x 1080 pxls)
missing mic port
heavier than others (544g)
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Pentax H90 vs Sony HX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax H90 and Sony HX1
 Pentax Optio H90Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio H90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-01-25 2009-04-22
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 9 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3456 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing range 10cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 9.20 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1440x1080
Video format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 153 gr (0.34 lbs) 544 gr (1.20 lbs)
Physical dimensions 101 x 65 x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6")
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 D-LI68 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $150 $47,999