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Pentax X90 vs Sony A100

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 front
Portability
64
Imaging
48
Features
38
Overall
44

Pentax X90 vs Sony A100 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 A100
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 638g - 133 x 95 x 71mm
  • Announced July 2006
  • Older Model is Konica Minolta 5D
  • Replacement is Sony A550
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Pentax X90 vs Sony A100 Overview

Below, we are matching up the Pentax X90 vs Sony A100, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the X90 (12MP) and the A100 (10MP) is very similar but the X90 (1/2.3") and A100 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor dimensions.

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The X90 was unveiled 3 years later than the A100 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A100 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summation of how the X90 matches up against the A100 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony A100

 X90 A100 
AnnouncedJuly 2010July 2006Fresher by 48 months
Display dimension2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony A100 over the Pentax X90

 A100 X90 

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony A100

 X90 A100 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Pentax X90 vs Sony A100 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax X90 features exterior dimensions 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 Sony A100 has proportions of 133mm x 95mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 638 grams (1.41 lbs).

Compare the Pentax X90 vs Sony A100 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the X90 against the A100.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A100 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the X90 and A100 is 69 and 64 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A100 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony A100 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizing purely by reviewing technical specs. The graphic here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the X90 and A100.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The X90 with its tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Pentax X90 will offer you more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more modern X90 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A100 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony A100 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony A100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax X90
Portrait photography with Sony A100
29
has manual focus
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
52
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
MP count low (10MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Street photography camera
Sony A100 as a Street photography camera
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
64
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 Sports photography info
Sony A100 Sports photography info
42
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking focus
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
MP count low (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography info
Sony A100 Travel photography info
51
flash built-in
really wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
45
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
MP count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 Landscape photography features
Sony A100 Landscape photography features
35
has manual focus
really wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
53
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
doesn't have liveview
MP count low (10MP)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging features
Sony A100 Vlogging features
23
really wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic port
9
can't shoot video
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Pentax X90 vs Sony A100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony A100
 Pentax X90Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X90 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-07-06 2006-07-31
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m -
Flash options - Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 seconds
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) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 428 gr (0.94 lb) 638 gr (1.41 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 133 x 95 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 61
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 476
Other
Battery ID D-L106 NP-FM55H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $350 $1,000