Clicky

Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX90V

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
63
Overall
51

Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX90V 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
  • Introduced August 2012
Sony HX90V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Introduced April 2015
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX90V Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX90V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the X-5 (16MP) and the HX90V (18MP) is very close and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The X-5 was introduced 3 years prior to the HX90V and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX90V being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a short summary of how the X-5 scores against the HX90V in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony HX90V

 X-5 HX90V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX90V over the Pentax X-5

 HX90V X-5 
IntroducedApril 2015August 2012Fresher by 32 months
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony HX90V

 X-5 HX90V 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX90V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax X-5 features outside dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") having a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Sony HX90V has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") and a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Compare the Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX90V in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use at that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the X-5 versus the HX90V.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX90V size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the X-5 and HX90V is 65 and 91 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX90V top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX90V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizing just by looking through a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the X-5 and HX90V.

Clearly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Sony HX90V to render greater detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics far more aggressively. The older X-5 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX90V sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX90V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX90V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 Portrait photography info
Sony HX90V Portrait photography info
43
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
45
you can focus manually
MP count good (18MP)
features face detection focus
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography features
Sony HX90V Street photography features
50
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competition in class (595g)
69
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography information
Sony HX90V Sports photography information
52
amazing zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
includes tracking focus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
57
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
features tracking autofocus
good battery (360 shots)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX90V as a Travel photography camera
53
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (22mm)
great zoom (580mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (595 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
76
good battery (360 per charge)
lighter than competition (245g)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
no Timelapse mode
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography information
Sony HX90V Landscape photography information
47
you can focus manually
decently wide (22mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
53
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
good battery (360 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse mode
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax X-5
Vlogging with Sony HX90V
26
decently wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
no mic jack
heavier than competition in class (595g)
75
fairly wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no external microphone socket
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Pentax X-5 vs Sony HX90V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony HX90V
 Pentax X-5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X-5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-08-22 2015-04-14
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 22-580mm (26.4x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 230k dots 638k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.5x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options - Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595 gr (1.31 pounds) 245 gr (0.54 pounds)
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots 360 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $230 $440