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Pentax H90 vs Sony S980

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Pentax Optio H90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Pentax H90 vs Sony S980 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
  • Released 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
  • Revealed February 2009
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Pentax H90 vs Sony S980 Overview

Below is a extensive review of the Pentax H90 vs Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the H90 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty comparable and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The H90 was released 12 months later than the S980 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise summation of how the H90 scores versus the S980 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax H90 over the Sony S980

 H90 S980 
RevealedJanuary 2010February 2009More recent by 12 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Pentax H90

 S980 H90 

Common features in the Pentax H90 and Sony S980

 H90 S980 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Pentax H90 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax H90 offers outer measurements of 101mm x 65mm x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 153 grams (0.34 lbs) and the Sony S980 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax H90 vs Sony S980 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the H90 and the S980.

Pentax H90 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the H90 and S980 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Pentax H90 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Pentax H90 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements purely by seeing specifications. The photograph below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the H90 and S980.

Plainly, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution and you can expect comparable quality of files though you might want to consider the age of the cameras into account. The newer H90 should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax H90 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Pentax H90 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax H90 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax H90 Portrait photography highlights
Sony S980 Portrait photography highlights
27
manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
27
has manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax H90 Street photography information
Sony S980 Street photography information
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax H90 Sports photography highlights
Sony S980 Sports photography highlights
31
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
17
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax H90
Travel photography with Sony S980
57
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax H90 Landscape photography information
Sony S980 Landscape photography information
36
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
27
has manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax H90 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
28
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone socket
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic socket
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Pentax H90 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax H90 and Sony S980
 Pentax Optio H90Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio H90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-01-25 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Prime -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 10cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 153g (0.34 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 101 x 65 x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model D-LI68 -
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 $150 $300