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Pentax X-5 vs Samsung ST90

Portability
65
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Pentax X-5 front
 
Samsung ST90 front
Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
19
Overall
29

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung ST90 Key Specs

Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Launched August 2012
Samsung ST90
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 0 - 0
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 92 x 53 x 17mm
  • Released January 2011
Photography Glossary

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung ST90 Overview

Following is a detailed overview of the Pentax X-5 and Samsung ST90, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Pentax and Samsung. The image resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the ST90 (14MP) is pretty comparable and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The X-5 was manufactured 20 months after the ST90 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung ST90 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the X-5 scores vs the ST90 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Samsung ST90

 X-5 ST90 
ReleasedAugust 2012January 2011More modern by 20 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Samsung ST90 over the Pentax X-5

 ST90 X-5 

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Samsung ST90

 X-5 ST90 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung ST90 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax X-5 provides outer measurements of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") along with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Samsung ST90 has specifications of 92mm x 53mm x 17mm (3.6" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Examine the Pentax X-5 and Samsung ST90 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the X-5 vs the ST90.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung ST90 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the X-5 and ST90 is 65 and 99 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung ST90 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung ST90 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes merely by checking out technical specs. The pic below should give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the X-5 and ST90.

As you have seen, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Pentax X-5 to provide greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The newer X-5 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung ST90 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung ST90 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung ST90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 Portrait photography factors
Samsung ST90 Portrait photography factors
44
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
28
MP count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography information
Samsung ST90 Street photography information
50
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than competition in class (595g)
49
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
max ISO too low (0)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax X-5
Sports photography with Samsung ST90
53
long zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
26
MP count good (14MP)
can't change focal length (()mm)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 Travel photography factors
Samsung ST90 Travel photography factors
54
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (22mm)
very long zoom (580mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (595g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
71
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
very good maximum aperture (f)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax X-5
Landscape photography with Samsung ST90
47
has manual focus
reasonably wide (22mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
37
very good maximum aperture (f)
screen size is good (3 inch)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
max ISO too low (0)
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 Vlogging details
Samsung ST90 Vlogging details
27
reasonably wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic jack
heavier than competition in class (595g)
27
very good maximum aperture (f)
does not have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic port
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Pentax X-5 vs Samsung ST90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Samsung ST90
 Pentax X-5Samsung ST90
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax X-5 Samsung ST90
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Launched 2012-08-22 2011-01-19
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 -
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 22-580mm (26.4x) ()
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 230 thousand dot -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595g (1.31 pounds) -
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 92 x 53 x 17mm (3.6" x 2.1" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 330 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $230 $150