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Pentax X90 vs Sony A390

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Pentax X90 vs Sony A390 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
  • Introduced July 2010
Sony A390
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Earlier Model is Sony A380
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Pentax X90 vs Sony A390 Overview

Below is a in depth review of the Pentax X90 versus Sony A390, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the X90 (12MP) and the A390 (14MP) is pretty similar but the X90 (1/2.3") and A390 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The X90 was unveiled around the same time to the A390 and they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras have different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting right into a detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the X90 grades against the A390 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony A390

 X90 A390 

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Pentax X90

 A390 X90 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony A390

 X90 A390 
RevealedJuly 2010July 2010Similar generation
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Pentax X90 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax X90 has got physical dimensions of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") along with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Sony A390 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Look at the Pentax X90 versus Sony A390 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the X90 versus the A390.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the X90 and A390 is 69 and 66 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to see the contrast between sensor measurements just by going over specifications. The photograph below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the X90 and A390.

Plainly, both of those cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The X90 having a tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A390 will deliver greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots more aggressively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 Portrait photography advice
Sony A390 Portrait photography advice
29
has manual focus
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
72
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 Street photography details
Sony A390 Street photography details
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
76
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax X90
Sports photography with Sony A390
42
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
terrible battery (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography features
Sony A390 Travel photography features
51
built-in flash
quite wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low resolution (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
53
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
terrible battery (230 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A390 as a Landscape photography camera
35
has manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
61
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
terrible battery (230 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging info
Sony A390 Vlogging info
23
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
9
can't record video
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Pentax X90 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony A390
 Pentax X90Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X90 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-07-06 2010-07-28
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
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 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 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) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428 grams (0.94 lb) 549 grams (1.21 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.5
DXO Low light score not tested 607
Other
Battery life - 230 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model D-L106 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $350 $500