Pentax W90 vs Sony S930
94 Imaging
35 Features
21 Overall
29


94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26
Pentax W90 vs Sony S930 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Pentax W90 vs Sony S930 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Optio W90 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930. The full galleries are available at Pentax W90 Gallery and Sony S930 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Sony S930
W90 | S930 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2010 | ![]() | January 2009 | More modern by 14 months |
Screen dimension | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.4" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 112k | Clearer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax W90 vs Sony S930 Specifications
Pentax Optio W90 | Sony 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 |