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Pentax X90 vs Sony A7

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony Alpha A7 front
Portability
78
Imaging
70
Features
80
Overall
74

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7 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
Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Released January 2014
  • Renewed by Sony A7 II
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Pentax X90 vs Sony A7 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Pentax X90 and Sony A7, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and A7 (24MP) and the X90 (1/2.3") and A7 (Full frame) posses different sensor dimensions.

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The X90 was launched 4 years before the A7 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise summation of how the X90 matches up vs the A7 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony A7

 X90 A7 

Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Pentax X90

 A7 X90 
ReleasedJanuary 2014July 2010Fresher by 43 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1230k230kCrisper screen (+1000k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony A7

 X90 A7 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax X90 features outside dimensions 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 Sony A7 has measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") with a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs).

See the Pentax X90 and Sony A7 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the X90 versus the A7.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the X90 and A7 is 69 and 78 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizing only by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the X90 and A7.

Clearly, each of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The X90 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony A7 will offer you extra detail utilizing its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs more aggressively. The older X90 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A7 as a Portrait photography camera
29
focusing manually
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
82
focusing manually
decent megapixels (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 Street photography information
Sony A7 Street photography information
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
79
has a tilting screen
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
lighter than competitors (474g)
good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 Sports photography info
Sony A7 Sports photography info
42
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
66
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
decent megapixels (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (340 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography highlights
Sony A7 Travel photography highlights
51
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competitors (474 grams)
environment sealing
decent megapixels (24MP)
low battery power (340 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 Landscape photography details
Sony A7 Landscape photography details
35
focusing manually
decently wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
75
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent megapixels (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (340 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging information
Sony A7 Vlogging information
23
decently wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic port
35
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic jack
lighter than competitors (474g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
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Pentax X90 vs Sony A7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony A7
 Pentax X90Sony Alpha A7
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X90 Sony Alpha A7
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2010-07-06 2014-01-22
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Prime Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 80 50
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 117
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 1,230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed - 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.10 m no built-in flash
Flash options - no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428g (0.94 pounds) 474g (1.04 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 90
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.2
DXO Low light score not tested 2248
Other
Battery life - 340 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model D-L106 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $350 $798