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Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD9

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sigma SD9 front
Portability
54
Imaging
39
Features
27
Overall
34

Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD9 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
  • Revealed July 2010
Sigma SD9
(Full Review)
  • 3MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 950g - 152 x 120 x 79mm
  • Launched November 2002
  • Refreshed by Sigma SD10
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Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD9 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD9, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sigma. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and SD9 (3MP) and the X90 (1/2.3") and SD9 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The X90 was revealed 7 years after the SD9 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sigma SD9 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the X90 matches up against the SD9 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sigma SD9

 X90 SD9 
LaunchedJuly 2010November 2002More modern by 93 months
Screen dimension2.7"1.8"Bigger screen (+0.9")
Screen resolution230k130kClearer screen (+100k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD9 over the Pentax X90

 SD9 X90 

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sigma SD9

 X90 SD9 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD9 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax X90 enjoys physical measurements of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Sigma SD9 has dimensions of 152mm x 120mm x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") having a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs).

Check the Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD9 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the X90 versus the SD9.

Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD9 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the X90 and SD9 is 69 and 54 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD9 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD9 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizes just by checking out technical specs. The pic below will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the X90 and SD9.

As you have seen, both the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The X90 having a smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Pentax X90 will show greater detail because of its extra 9 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The more recent X90 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD9 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD9 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax X90
Portrait photography with Sigma SD9
29
you can focus manually
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
47
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview feature
MP count low (3 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax X90 Street photography features
Sigma SD9 Street photography features
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
43
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
heavier than others in class (950 grams)
low maximum ISO (400)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Sports photography camera
Sigma SD9 as a Sports photography camera
42
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
36
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
MP count low (3 megapixels)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography highlights
Sigma SD9 Travel photography highlights
51
has built in flash
rather wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
missing Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
29
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (950g)
MP count low (3 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 Landscape photography info
Sigma SD9 Landscape photography info
35
you can focus manually
rather wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
41
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sigma SA mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (1.8 inch)
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
MP count low (3 megapixels)
low maximum ISO (400)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Vlogging camera
Sigma SD9 as a Vlogging camera
23
rather wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
9
no video recording
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Pentax X90 vs Sigma SD9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sigma SD9
 Pentax X90Sigma SD9
General Information
Company Pentax Sigma
Model Pentax X90 Sigma SD9
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2010-07-06 2002-11-26
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime -
Sensor type CCD CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 20.7 x 13.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 285.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 3MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 2268 x 1512
Maximum native ISO 6400 400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sigma SA
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 76
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.7
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 1.8 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 130k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.77x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428 grams (0.94 lbs) 950 grams (2.09 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 152 x 120 x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal Compact Flash Type I or II
Card slots One One
Launch cost $350 $3,001