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Pentax X70 vs Sony W290

Portability
71
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X70 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Pentax X70 vs Sony W290 Key Specs

Pentax X70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 50 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 410g - 110 x 83 x 90mm
  • Released March 2009
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Released February 2009
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Pentax X70 vs Sony W290 Overview

Following is a extensive analysis of the Pentax X70 and Sony W290, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the X70 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is fairly similar and both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The X70 was brought out at a similar time to the W290 so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the X70 matches up against the W290 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Sony W290

 X70 W290 

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Pentax X70

 W290 X70 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax X70 and Sony W290

 X70 W290 
ReleasedMarch 2009February 2009Similar age
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Pentax X70 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax X70 enjoys external dimensions of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") along with a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs) and the Sony W290 has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax X70 and Sony W290 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the X70 vs the W290.

Pentax X70 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the X70 and W290 is 71 and 94 respectively.

Pentax X70 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizes just by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the X70 and W290.

As you can see, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical resolution so you can expect similar quality of images however you need to factor the launch date of the products into consideration.

Pentax X70 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X70 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X70 Portrait photography info
Sony W290 Portrait photography info
28
manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
has manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X70 Street photography highlights
Sony W290 Street photography highlights
46
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X70 Sports photography information
Sony W290 Sports photography information
50
excellent zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect AF
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X70 Travel photography information
Sony W290 Travel photography information
52
built-in flash
decently wide (26mm)
long reach (624mm)
missing Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
57
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X70 Landscape photography details
Sony W290 Landscape photography details
35
manual focus
decently wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
41
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax X70
Vlogging with Sony W290
24
decently wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone port
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Pentax X70 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X70 and Sony W290
 Pentax X70Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X70 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-03-02 2009-02-17
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 50 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-624mm (24.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 10cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 3.90 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow 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
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 410g (0.90 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 ID D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $200 $230