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Pentax X-5 vs Sony T90

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90 front
Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
26
Overall
30

Pentax X-5 vs Sony T90 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
  • Released August 2012
Sony T90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 148g - 94 x 57 x 15mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony T90 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Pentax X-5 and Sony T90, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Pentax and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the X-5 (16MP) and T90 (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The X-5 was unveiled 3 years after the T90 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony T90 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the X-5 scores versus the T90 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Sony T90

 X-5 T90 
IntroducedAugust 2012February 2009More modern by 43 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony T90 over the Pentax X-5

 T90 X-5 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Sony T90

 X-5 T90 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Pentax X-5 vs Sony T90 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax X-5 provides exterior measurements of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") and a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) and the Sony T90 has specifications of 94mm x 57mm x 15mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.6") with a weight of 148 grams (0.33 lbs).

See the Pentax X-5 and Sony T90 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the X-5 against the T90.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony T90 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the X-5 and T90 is 65 and 96 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony T90 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony T90 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes simply by viewing a spec sheet. The image underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the X-5 and T90.

As you can see, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Pentax X-5 to render more detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The newer X-5 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax X-5 vs Sony T90 sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Sony T90 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Sony T90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 Portrait photography highlights
Sony T90 Portrait photography highlights
43
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
27
manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 Street photography info
Sony T90 Street photography info
50
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than others in class (595g)
55
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
heavier than others in class (148g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography info
Sony T90 Sports photography info
52
amazing zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
provides tracking focus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax X-5
Travel photography with Sony T90
53
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (22mm)
long reach (580mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (595 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
50
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (148 grams)
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax X-5
Landscape photography with Sony T90
47
manual focus
pretty wide (22mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
36
manual focus
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 Vlogging factors
Sony T90 Vlogging factors
26
pretty wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of mic port
heavier than others in class (595 grams)
27
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic port
heavier than others in class (148g)
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Pentax X-5 vs Sony T90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Sony T90
 Pentax X-5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X-5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Released 2012-08-22 2009-02-17
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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 22-580mm (26.4x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-10.0
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 230 thousand dot -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 1 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 2.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595g (1.31 lb) 148g (0.33 lb)
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 94 x 57 x 15mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.6")
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 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $230 $259