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Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX3000

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Samsung NX3000 front
Portability
89
Imaging
63
Features
62
Overall
62

Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX3000 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
  • Announced July 2010
Samsung NX3000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 230g - 117 x 66 x 39mm
  • Revealed May 2014
  • Earlier Model is Samsung NX2000
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Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX3000 Overview

Lets look much closer at the Pentax X90 versus Samsung NX3000, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Samsung. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and NX3000 (20MP) and the X90 (1/2.3") and NX3000 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor size.

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The X90 was released 4 years before the NX3000 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung NX3000 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the X90 grades vs the NX3000 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Samsung NX3000

 X90 NX3000 

Reasons to pick Samsung NX3000 over the Pentax X90

 NX3000 X90 
RevealedMay 2014July 2010More recent by 47 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Samsung NX3000

 X90 NX3000 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX3000 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax X90 has got outer dimensions of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") along with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Samsung NX3000 has measurements of 117mm x 66mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.5") along with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Compare the Pentax X90 versus Samsung NX3000 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the X90 vs the NX3000.

Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX3000 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the X90 and NX3000 is 69 and 89 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX3000 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX3000 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to see the contrast between sensor measurements just by looking at technical specs. The visual here may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the X90 and NX3000.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The X90 because of its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Samsung NX3000 will give more detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images more aggressively. The older X90 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX3000 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX3000 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 Portrait photography info
Samsung NX3000 Portrait photography info
29
has manual focus
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
77
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax X90
Street photography with Samsung NX3000
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
81
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (230g)
great high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax X90
Sports photography with Samsung NX3000
42
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking autofocus
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
56
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography details
Samsung NX3000 Travel photography details
51
built-in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
no Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competition (230 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax X90
Landscape photography with Samsung NX3000
35
has manual focus
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
72
has manual focus
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging info
Samsung NX3000 Vlogging info
23
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic support
34
features face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (230g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have microphone support
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Pentax X90 vs Samsung NX3000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Samsung NX3000
 Pentax X90Samsung NX3000
General Information
Make Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax X90 Samsung NX3000
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2010-07-06 2014-05-26
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 35
Cross focus points - 1
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Samsung NX
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 32
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m no built-in flash
Flash settings - no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure 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 (30p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428 grams (0.94 pounds) 230 grams (0.51 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 117 x 66 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.6" 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 life - 370 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model D-L106 B740
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2-30 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $350 $897