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Pentax W90 vs Sony S930

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Pentax Optio W90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Pentax W90 vs Sony S930 Key Specs

Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Introduced February 2010
Sony S930
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.4" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 320 x 240 video
  • 38-108mm (F2.9-5.4) lens
  • 167g - 90 x 61 x 26mm
  • Released January 2009
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Pentax W90 vs Sony S930 Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Pentax W90 vs Sony S930, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the W90 (12MP) and the S930 (10MP) is pretty well matched and they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The W90 was unveiled 14 months after the S930 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the W90 grades vs the S930 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Sony S930

 W90 S930 
ReleasedFebruary 2010January 2009More modern by 14 months
Screen dimension2.7"2.4"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution230k112kClearer screen (+118k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S930 over the Pentax W90

 S930 W90 

Common features in the Pentax W90 and Sony S930

 W90 S930 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Pentax W90 vs Sony S930 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Pentax W90 has got external dimensions of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Sony S930 has specifications of 90mm x 61mm x 26mm (3.5" x 2.4" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Pentax W90 vs Sony S930 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the W90 and the S930.

Pentax W90 vs Sony S930 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the W90 and S930 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Pentax W90 vs Sony S930 top view buttons comparison

Pentax W90 vs Sony S930 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading through specifications. The picture here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the W90 and S930.

Plainly, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Pentax W90 to resolve more detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The newer W90 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Pentax W90 vs Sony S930 sensor size comparison

Pentax W90 vs Sony S930 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax W90 vs Sony S930 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax W90
Portrait photography with Sony S930
27
you can focus manually
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
26
manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax W90 as a Street photography camera
Sony S930 as a Street photography camera
54
environment proofing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax W90 Sports photography info
Sony S930 Sports photography info
24
environment proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax W90 Travel photography info
Sony S930 Travel photography info
64
environment proofing
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
50
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax W90 Landscape photography factors
Sony S930 Landscape photography factors
37
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
environment proofing
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
31
manual focus
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.4")
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax W90 Vlogging features
Sony S930 Vlogging features
25
decently wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone support
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low res video (320 x 240 resolution)
lack of external microphone support
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Pentax W90 vs Sony S930 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax W90 and Sony S930
 Pentax Optio W90Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio W90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-02-24 2009-01-08
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 38-108mm (2.8x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/2.9-5.4
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 2.4 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 112k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 1/8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.90 m 3.00 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, Forced Flash, Slow Syncro, No Flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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) 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 320x240
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 164 grams (0.36 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") 90 x 61 x 26mm (3.5" x 2.4" x 1.0")
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 model D-LI68 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / PRo-HG Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $120 $219