Pentax W90 vs Sony A900
94 Imaging
35 Features
21 Overall
29


54 Imaging
66 Features
62 Overall
64
Pentax W90 vs Sony A900 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Pentax W90 vs Sony A900 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio W90 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A900. The full galleries are provided at Pentax W90 Gallery & Sony A900 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Sony A900
W90 | A900 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2010 | ![]() | October 2008 | More modern by 17 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Pentax W90
A900 | W90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax W90 and Sony A900
W90 | A900 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax W90 vs Sony A900 Specifications
Pentax Optio W90 | Sony 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 |