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Pentax X90 vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32

Pentax X90 vs Samsung HZ15W Key Specs

Pentax X90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 428g - 111 x 85 x 110mm
  • Released July 2010
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Announced February 2009
  • Alternative Name is WB550
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Pentax X90 vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

Here is a complete review of the Pentax X90 and Samsung HZ15W, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the X90 (12MP) and the HZ15W (12MP) is very well matched and they come with the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The X90 was brought out 17 months later than the HZ15W making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung HZ15W being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summary of how the X90 matches up vs the HZ15W with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Samsung HZ15W

 X90 HZ15W 
AnnouncedJuly 2010February 2009Fresher by 17 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Pentax X90

 HZ15W X90 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Samsung HZ15W

 X90 HZ15W 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Pentax X90 vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera often, you need to consider its weight and size. The Pentax X90 enjoys outer measurements of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Samsung HZ15W has specifications of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check out the Pentax X90 and Samsung HZ15W in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the X90 vs the HZ15W.

Pentax X90 vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the X90 and HZ15W is 69 and 90 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing merely by looking at a spec sheet. The graphic here may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the X90 and HZ15W.

Clearly, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same megapixels so you should expect similar quality of files however you will need to factor the production date of the products into consideration. The more recent X90 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax X90 vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 Portrait photography highlights
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography highlights
29
has manual focus
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
31
has manual focus
has face detect focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 Street photography details
Samsung HZ15W Street photography details
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
52
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
more heavy than average in class (249g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 Sports photography information
Samsung HZ15W Sports photography information
42
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking focus
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
27
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
missing Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
54
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than average in class (249 grams)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Landscape photography camera
35
has manual focus
rather wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
40
has manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Vlogging camera
23
rather wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic port
28
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone jack
more heavy than average in class (249g)
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Pentax X90 vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Samsung HZ15W
 Pentax X90Samsung HZ15W
General Information
Company Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax X90 Samsung HZ15W
Also called - WB550
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-07-06 2009-02-23
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 16 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m 4.70 m
Flash modes - Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428 gr (0.94 lbs) 249 gr (0.55 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model D-L106 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $350 $330