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Pentax X90 vs Sony A7R

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R front
Portability
78
Imaging
74
Features
76
Overall
74

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7R 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
  • Launched July 2010
Sony A7R
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 465g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Revealed February 2014
  • New Model is Sony A7R II
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Pentax X90 vs Sony A7R Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Pentax X90 vs Sony A7R, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and A7R (36MP) and the X90 (1/2.3") and A7R (Full frame) offer different sensor measurements.

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The X90 was released 4 years prior to the A7R which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A7R being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short summation of how the X90 matches up versus the A7R in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony A7R

 X90 A7R 

Reasons to pick Sony A7R over the Pentax X90

 A7R X90 
RevealedFebruary 2014July 2010More modern by 43 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1230k230kSharper screen (+1000k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony A7R

 X90 A7R 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7R Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax X90 has outer dimensions of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") and a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Sony A7R has sizing of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 465 grams (1.03 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax X90 vs Sony A7R in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the X90 vs the A7R.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7R size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the X90 and A7R is 69 and 78 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7R top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7R Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading technical specs. The image underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the X90 and A7R.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The X90 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Sony A7R will offer greater detail as a result of its extra 24MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged X90 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7R sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7R Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 Portrait photography info
Sony A7R Portrait photography info
29
you can focus manually
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
84
focusing manually
megapixel count amazing (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 Street photography features
Sony A7R Street photography features
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
80
has a tilting screen
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
lighter than competition (465 grams)
great high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax X90
Sports photography with Sony A7R
42
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking autofocus
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
62
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
megapixel count amazing (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
weather proofing
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (340 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography information
Sony A7R Travel photography information
51
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
no Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than competition (465 grams)
weather proofing
megapixel count amazing (36MP)
terrible battery power (340 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A7R as a Landscape photography camera
35
you can focus manually
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse mode
78
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
megapixel count amazing (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (340 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax X90
Vlogging with Sony A7R
23
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone jack
36
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone support
lighter than competition (465g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
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Pentax X90 vs Sony A7R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony A7R
 Pentax X90Sony Alpha A7R
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X90 Sony Alpha A7R
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2010-07-06 2014-02-13
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 1,230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate - 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.10 m no built-in flash
Flash settings - no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160s
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 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428 grams (0.94 pounds) 465 grams (1.03 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 95
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 2746
Other
Battery life - 340 photographs
Type of battery - 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
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $350 $1,898