Pentax H90 vs Sony HX5

Below is a extended review of the Pentax H90 vs Sony HX5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the H90 (12MP) and the HX5 (10MP) is relatively comparable but the H90 (1/2.3") and HX5 (1/2.4") come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The H90 was announced 4 months prior to the HX5 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the H90 scores against the HX5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio H90 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5. The whole galleries are provided at Pentax H90 Gallery and Sony HX5 Gallery.

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you have to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax H90 has outer dimensions of 101mm x 65mm x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 153 grams (0.34 lbs) while the Sony HX5 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax H90 vs Sony HX5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the H90 and the HX5.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the H90 and HX5 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualise the difference in sensor measurements merely by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic here may give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the H90 and HX5.

As you can see, the 2 cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The H90 using its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Pentax H90 will produce more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively.