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Pentax X90 vs Sony A7S II

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony Alpha A7S II front
Portability
68
Imaging
61
Features
76
Overall
67

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7S II 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
  • Revealed July 2010
Sony A7S II
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Increase to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 627g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
  • Released October 2015
  • Replaced the Sony A7S
  • Successor is Sony A7S III
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Pentax X90 vs Sony A7S II Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Pentax X90 and Sony A7S II, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the X90 (12MP) and the A7S II (12MP) is pretty comparable but the X90 (1/2.3") and A7S II (Full frame) provide different sensor measurements.

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The X90 was brought out 6 years earlier than the A7S II and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A7S II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summation of how the X90 scores against the A7S II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony A7S II

 X90 A7S II 

Reasons to pick Sony A7S II over the Pentax X90

 A7S II X90 
ReleasedOctober 2015July 2010Fresher by 64 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kCrisper screen (+999k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony A7S II

 X90 A7S II 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7S II Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax X90 features outside 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 Sony A7S II has measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") accompanied by a weight of 627 grams (1.38 lbs).

Check the Pentax X90 and Sony A7S II in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the X90 compared to the A7S II.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7S II size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the X90 and A7S II is 69 and 68 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7S II top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7S II Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizing simply by going through a spec sheet. The photograph here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the X90 and A7S II.

Clearly, the two cameras provide the same MP albeit different sensor sizing. The X90 includes the smaller sensor which is going to make achieving bokeh trickier. The older X90 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7S II sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7S II Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony A7S II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 Portrait photography advice
Sony A7S II Portrait photography advice
29
focusing manually
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
68
manual focus
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 Street photography features
Sony A7S II Street photography features
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
78
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
great ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 Sports photography features
Sony A7S II Sports photography features
42
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking autofocus
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
58
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (370 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography details
Sony A7S II Travel photography details
51
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
long reach (676mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
49
environment proof
bad battery life (370 shots)
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 Landscape photography information
Sony A7S II Landscape photography information
35
focusing manually
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
71
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
great ISO range (102,400)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
low resolution (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (370 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging factors
Sony A7S II Vlogging factors
23
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have external mic support
display is not selfie friendly
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Pentax X90 vs Sony A7S II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony A7S II
 Pentax X90Sony Alpha A7S II
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X90 Sony Alpha A7S II
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2010-07-06 2015-10-12
Physical type 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 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4240 x 2832
Maximum native ISO 6400 102400
Maximum enhanced ISO - 409600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 169
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m no built-in flash
Flash settings - no built-in flash
External flash
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) 4K (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p [60-100Mbps]), Full HD (1920 x 1080 @ 120p/60p/60i/30p/24p [50-100Mbps]), 720p (30p [16Mbps])
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 428 grams (0.94 pounds) 627 grams (1.38 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 127 x 96 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 85
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 2993
Other
Battery life - 370 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-L106 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $350 $2,767