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Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP1s

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sigma DP1s front
Portability
90
Imaging
44
Features
30
Overall
38

Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP1s 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
  • Announced July 2010
Sigma DP1s
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 800
  • No Video
  • 28mm (F) lens
  • 270g - 109 x 60 x 31mm
  • Revealed October 2009
  • Superseded the Sigma DP1
  • Newer Model is Sigma DP1x
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Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP1s Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Pentax X90 versus Sigma DP1s, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Sigma. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and DP1s (5MP) and the X90 (1/2.3") and DP1s (APS-C) provide different sensor sizes.

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The X90 was released 10 months after the DP1s which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sigma DP1s being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting right into a full comparison, here is a simple summation of how the X90 grades versus the DP1s when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sigma DP1s

 X90 DP1s 
RevealedJuly 2010October 2009More modern by 10 months
Display size2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sigma DP1s over the Pentax X90

 DP1s X90 

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sigma DP1s

 X90 DP1s 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP1s Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax X90 comes with exterior measurements of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") having a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Sigma DP1s has measurements of 109mm x 60mm x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs).

Check the Pentax X90 versus Sigma DP1s in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at the time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the X90 vs the DP1s.

Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP1s size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X90 and DP1s is 69 and 90 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP1s top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP1s Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizes only by checking out specs. The pic below should provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the X90 and DP1s.

All in all, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The X90 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Pentax X90 will show extra detail as a result of its extra 7MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics way more aggressively. The more recent X90 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP1s sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP1s Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP1s Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 Portrait photography details
Sigma DP1s Portrait photography details
29
manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
56
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax X90
Street photography with Sigma DP1s
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
66
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than average (270g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
low maximum ISO (800)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 Sports photography info
Sigma DP1s Sports photography info
42
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
32
good sensor size (APS-C)
fixed focal length (28mm)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (5MP)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography advice
Sigma DP1s Travel photography advice
51
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
64
lighter than average (270g)
built-in flash
fast max aperture (f)
no Timelapse recording
low megapixels (5MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 Landscape photography advice
Sigma DP1s Landscape photography advice
35
manual focus
rather wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
44
you can focus manually
fast max aperture (f)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
small screen (2.5 inches)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (5MP)
low maximum ISO (800)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Vlogging camera
Sigma DP1s as a Vlogging camera
23
rather wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone support
9
no video recording
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Pentax X90 vs Sigma DP1s Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sigma DP1s
 Pentax X90Sigma DP1s
General Information
Make Pentax Sigma
Model type Pentax X90 Sigma DP1s
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-07-06 2009-10-02
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Prime -
Sensor type CCD CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 20.7 x 13.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 285.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 5 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 2640 x 1760
Max native ISO 6400 800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
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) 28mm (1x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.9 1.7
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m -
Hot shoe
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) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 428 grams (0.94 pounds) 270 grams (0.60 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 109 x 60 x 31mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.2")
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-L106 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $350 $0