Pentax W90 vs Sony RX1

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Pentax W90 and Sony RX1, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the W90 (12MP) and RX1 (24MP) and the W90 (1/2.3") and RX1 (Full frame) use totally different sensor sizes.

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The W90 was manufactured 4 years earlier than the RX1 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax W90 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the W90 grades vs the RX1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Optio W90 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1. The entire galleries are available at Pentax W90 Gallery and Sony RX1 Gallery.

For anybody who is going to carry your camera, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax W90 offers outside dimensions 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 Sony RX1 has sizing of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") along with a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Look at the Pentax W90 and Sony RX1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the W90 and the RX1.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the W90 and RX1 is 94 and 79 respectively.

Typically, its difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizing simply by going over technical specs. The visual here will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the W90 and RX1.

As you can tell, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The W90 due to its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF trickier and the Sony RX1 will offer you extra detail due to its extra 12MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older W90 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.