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Pentax X90 vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38

Pentax X90 vs Pentax XG-1 Key Specs

Pentax X90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 428g - 111 x 85 x 110mm
  • Revealed July 2010
Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Introduced July 2014
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Pentax X90 vs Pentax XG-1 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Pentax X90 vs Pentax XG-1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and they are both designed by Pentax. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and XG-1 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The X90 was announced 5 years before the XG-1 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise summation of how the X90 grades vs the XG-1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Pentax XG-1

 X90 XG-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Pentax X90

 XG-1 X90 
IntroducedJuly 2014July 2010More modern by 49 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Pentax XG-1

 X90 XG-1 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Pentax X90 vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax X90 comes with outer measurements of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") having a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Pentax XG-1 has sizing of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") and a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).

Check the Pentax X90 vs Pentax XG-1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the X90 and the XG-1.

Pentax X90 vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X90 and XG-1 is 69 and 66 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Pentax XG-1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizes merely by viewing specifications. The pic below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the X90 and XG-1.

Plainly, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Pentax XG-1 to render greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged X90 will be behind in sensor tech.

Pentax X90 vs Pentax XG-1 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 Portrait photography information
Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography information
29
you can focus manually
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
40
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax X90
Street photography with Pentax XG-1
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than competitors in class (567 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 Sports photography advice
Pentax XG-1 Sports photography advice
42
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking focus
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
45
amazing zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (240 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
52
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (1248mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (240 per charge)
heavier than competitors in class (567g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax X90
Landscape photography with Pentax XG-1
35
you can focus manually
relatively wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
45
focusing manually
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
not so great battery power (240 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging info
Pentax XG-1 Vlogging info
23
relatively wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
25
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of external mic support
heavier than competitors in class (567g)
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Pentax X90 vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Pentax XG-1
 Pentax X90Pentax XG-1
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax X90 Pentax XG-1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-07-06 2014-07-15
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 24-1248mm (52.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-5.6
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dots
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 6.00 m
Flash options - Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction
Hot shoe
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 428 gr (0.94 pounds) 567 gr (1.25 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9")
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 - 240 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-L106 LB-060
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $350 $599