Clicky

Pentax W90 vs Sony W810

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28
Pentax Optio W90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W810 front
Portability
96
Imaging
44
Features
26
Overall
36

Pentax W90 vs Sony W810 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 W810
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 27-162mm (F3.5-6.5) lens
  • 111g - 97 x 56 x 21mm
  • Released January 2014
Photography Glossary

Pentax W90 vs Sony W810 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Pentax W90 and Sony W810, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the W90 (12MP) and W810 (20MP) but they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The W90 was introduced 4 years before the W810 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax W90 being a Compact camera and the Sony W810 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the W90 matches up against the W810 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

        

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Sony W810

 W90 W810 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus

Reasons to pick Sony W810 over the Pentax W90

 W810 W90 
ReleasedJanuary 2014February 2010More modern by 47 months

Common features in the Pentax W90 and Sony W810

 W90 W810 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display measurements
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Pentax W90 vs Sony W810 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and size. The Pentax W90 offers external measurements of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Sony W810 has specifications of 97mm x 56mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 111 grams (0.24 lbs).

Compare the Pentax W90 and Sony W810 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the W90 compared to the W810.

Pentax W90 vs Sony W810 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the W90 and W810 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Pentax W90 vs Sony W810 top view buttons comparison

Pentax W90 vs Sony W810 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizes merely by looking at a spec sheet. The image here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the W90 and W810.

Clearly, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony W810 to resolve greater detail using its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged W90 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax W90 vs Sony W810 sensor size comparison

Pentax W90 vs Sony W810 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax W90 vs Sony W810 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax W90 Portrait photography details
Sony W810 Portrait photography details
27
focusing manually
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
37
decent megapixels (20MP)
includes face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera

Street Comparison

Pentax W90 Street photography highlights
Sony W810 Street photography highlights
54
environment proof
fixed screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax W90
Sports photography with Sony W810
24
environment proof
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20MP)
includes tracking autofocus
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Pentax W90 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W810 as a Travel photography camera
64
environment proof
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
67
decent megapixels (20MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (27mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Pentax W90 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W810 as a Landscape photography camera
36
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
environment proof
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
40
reasonably wide (27mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax W90 Vlogging details
Sony W810 Vlogging details
25
fairly wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
32
reasonably wide (27mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone socket
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Pentax W90 vs Sony W810 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax W90 and Sony W810
 Pentax Optio W90Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W810
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio W90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W810
Category Waterproof Ultracompact
Announced 2010-02-24 2014-01-07
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip 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 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 5152 x 3864
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 27-162mm (6.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.5-6.5
Macro focus range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.90 m 3.20 m (with ISO auto)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Flash Off / Advanced Flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 164g (0.36 pounds) 111g (0.24 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") 97 x 56 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 - 200 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI68 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo, microSD/microSDHC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $120 $100