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Pentax W90 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Pentax Optio W90 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32

Pentax W90 vs Samsung HZ15W Key Specs

Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Launched February 2010
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Announced February 2009
  • Alternate Name is WB550
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Pentax W90 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Pentax W90 versus Samsung HZ15W, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the W90 (12MP) and the HZ15W (12MP) is fairly close and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The W90 was introduced 13 months later than the HZ15W making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the W90 matches up against the HZ15W in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Samsung HZ15W

 W90 HZ15W 
AnnouncedFebruary 2010February 2009Fresher by 13 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Pentax W90

 HZ15W W90 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Pentax W90 and Samsung HZ15W

 W90 HZ15W 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Pentax W90 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax W90 provides outside measurements of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Samsung HZ15W has proportions of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax W90 versus Samsung HZ15W in our newest 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 during that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the W90 compared to the HZ15W.

Pentax W90 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the W90 and HZ15W is 94 and 90 respectively.

Pentax W90 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Pentax W90 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to see the contrast in sensor sizing purely by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic below should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the W90 and HZ15W.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact resolution and you can expect comparable quality of photos but you should always take the age of the cameras into account. The fresher W90 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax W90 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Pentax W90 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax W90 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax W90 Portrait photography information
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography information
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
31
manual focus
has face detection focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax W90 Street photography highlights
Samsung HZ15W Street photography highlights
54
environment proofing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
52
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than competitors in class (249g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax W90 as a Sports photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Sports photography camera
24
environment proofing
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
27
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax W90 Travel photography highlights
Samsung HZ15W Travel photography highlights
64
environment proofing
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
54
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors in class (249 grams)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax W90 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Landscape photography camera
37
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
40
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax W90
Vlogging with Samsung HZ15W
25
decently wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic jack
28
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (249 grams)
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Pentax W90 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax W90 and Samsung HZ15W
 Pentax Optio W90Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Brand Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax Optio W90 Samsung HZ15W
Also Known as - WB550
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-02-24 2009-02-23
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Prime -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 16 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 4.70 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 164 gr (0.36 lbs) 249 gr (0.55 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $120 $330