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Pentax W90 vs Sony A900

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Pentax Optio W90 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
66
Features
62
Overall
64

Pentax W90 vs Sony A900 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
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Launched October 2008
  • Replacement is Sony A99
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Pentax W90 vs Sony A900 Overview

Following is a in depth comparison of the Pentax W90 vs Sony A900, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the W90 (12MP) and A900 (25MP) and the W90 (1/2.3") and A900 (Full frame) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The W90 was unveiled 17 months after the A900 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras offer different body type with the Pentax W90 being a Compact camera and the Sony A900 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the W90 grades against the A900 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Sony A900

 W90 A900 
LaunchedFebruary 2010October 2008More modern by 17 months

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Pentax W90

 A900 W90 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Pentax W90 and Sony A900

 W90 A900 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Pentax W90 vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax W90 enjoys outside dimensions of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Sony A900 has sizing of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Look at the Pentax W90 vs Sony A900 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the W90 and the A900.

Pentax W90 vs Sony A900 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the W90 and A900 is 94 and 54 respectively.

Pentax W90 vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Pentax W90 vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes just by going over a spec sheet. The picture below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the W90 and A900.

Clearly, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The W90 having a tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Sony A900 will deliver greater detail having an extra 13MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The younger W90 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax W90 vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Pentax W90 vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax W90 vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax W90
Portrait photography with Sony A900
27
focusing manually
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
71
focusing manually
sensor resolution is amazing (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Pentax W90 Street photography details
Sony A900 Street photography details
54
weather proof
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax W90
Sports photography with Sony A900
24
weather proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is amazing (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax W90 Travel photography info
Sony A900 Travel photography info
64
weather proof
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
54
weather proofing
sensor resolution is amazing (25MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax W90 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A900 Landscape photography highlights
37
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
weather proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
72
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is amazing (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
no liveview
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax W90
Vlogging with Sony A900
25
really wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
9
can't record video
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Pentax W90 vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax W90 and Sony A900
 Pentax Optio W90Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio W90 Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Type Waterproof Advanced DSLR
Launched 2010-02-24 2008-10-22
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 25MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.90 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250 secs
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 164 grams (0.36 lb) 895 grams (1.97 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 1431
Other
Battery life - 880 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Storage slots Single Two
Cost at release $120 $2,736