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Pentax W90 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Pentax Optio W90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Pentax W90 vs Sony HX20V 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
  • Announced February 2010
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched July 2012
  • Replaced the Sony HX10V
  • Later Model is Sony HX30V
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Pentax W90 vs Sony HX20V Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Pentax W90 versus Sony HX20V, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the W90 (12MP) and HX20V (18MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The W90 was manufactured 3 years earlier than the HX20V which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the W90 matches up against the HX20V with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Sony HX20V

 W90 HX20V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Pentax W90

 HX20V W90 
LaunchedJuly 2012February 2010Newer by 29 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Pentax W90 and Sony HX20V

 W90 HX20V 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Pentax W90 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax W90 has got physical measurements of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Sony HX20V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax W90 versus Sony HX20V in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the W90 vs the HX20V.

Pentax W90 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the W90 and HX20V is 94 and 90 respectively.

Pentax W90 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Pentax W90 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions merely by researching technical specs. The image below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the W90 and HX20V.

As you can tell, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Sony HX20V to result in extra detail due to its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged W90 will be behind in sensor tech.

Pentax W90 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Pentax W90 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax W90 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax W90
Portrait photography with Sony HX20V
27
you can focus manually
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
45
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax W90 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Street photography camera
54
weather sealing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax W90 Sports photography highlights
Sony HX20V Sports photography highlights
24
weather sealing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
49
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax W90 Travel photography information
Sony HX20V Travel photography information
64
weather sealing
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than competition (254g)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
no Time Lapse recording
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax W90 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Landscape photography camera
37
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
50
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax W90 Vlogging factors
Sony HX20V Vlogging factors
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (254g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no external mic port
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Pentax W90 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax W90 and Sony HX20V
 Pentax Optio W90Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio W90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-02-24 2012-07-20
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 12MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.90 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 164 grams (0.36 lbs) 254 grams (0.56 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 life - 320 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI68 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $120 $397