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Pentax W90 vs Pentax Q

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Pentax Optio W90 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Pentax W90 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Announced February 2010
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Revealed June 2011
  • Renewed by Pentax Q10
Photography Glossary

Pentax W90 vs Pentax Q Overview

Below is a in-depth overview of the Pentax W90 vs Pentax Q, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are sold by Pentax. The image resolution of the W90 (12MP) and the Q (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The W90 was announced 16 months earlier than the Q which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax W90 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the W90 matches up vs the Q when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Pentax Q

 W90 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Pentax W90

 Q W90 
RevealedJune 2011February 2010More recent by 16 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Pentax W90 and Pentax Q

 W90 Q 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Pentax W90 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax W90 has exterior measurements of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") and a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

See the Pentax W90 vs Pentax Q in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at the time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the W90 compared to the Q.

Pentax W90 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the W90 and Q is 94 and 93 respectively.

Pentax W90 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Pentax W90 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements just by researching technical specs. The visual here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the W90 and Q.

As you can tell, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical MP and you can expect comparable quality of pictures but you will need to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The older W90 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax W90 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Pentax W90 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax W90 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax W90 Portrait photography details
Pentax Q Portrait photography details
27
manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
45
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000s)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax W90
Street photography with Pentax Q
54
environment sealing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax W90
Sports photography with Pentax Q
24
environment sealing
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking focus
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (230 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax W90
Travel photography with Pentax Q
64
environment sealing
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
57
lighter than competition in class (180g)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax W90 Landscape photography information
Pentax Q Landscape photography information
37
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
51
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (230 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax W90 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q as a Vlogging camera
25
fairly wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone support
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (180g)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone socket
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Pentax W90 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax W90 and Pentax Q
 Pentax Optio W90Pentax Q
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax Optio W90 Pentax Q
Type Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2010-02-24 2011-06-23
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Prime -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Available lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 164 grams (0.36 lbs) 180 grams (0.40 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 47
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 189
Other
Battery life - 230 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at release $120 $695