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Pentax X90 vs Sony A560

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 front
Portability
64
Imaging
54
Features
78
Overall
63

Pentax X90 vs Sony A560 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
  • Launched July 2010
Sony A560
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Launched August 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A500
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Pentax X90 vs Sony A560 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Pentax X90 vs Sony A560, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the X90 (12MP) and the A560 (14MP) is very similar but the X90 (1/2.3") and A560 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor size.

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The X90 was manufactured within a month of the A560 so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A560 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a short view of how the X90 matches up vs the A560 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony A560

 X90 A560 

Reasons to pick Sony A560 over the Pentax X90

 A560 X90 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony A560

 X90 A560 
LaunchedJuly 2010August 2010Similar generation
Manual focus More precise focusing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Pentax X90 vs Sony A560 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax X90 offers external measurements 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 A560 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check out the Pentax X90 vs Sony A560 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the X90 vs the A560.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A560 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the X90 and A560 is 69 and 64 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A560 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony A560 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes only by reviewing specs. The image below will help give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the X90 and A560.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The X90 because of its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Sony A560 will deliver greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos way more aggressively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A560 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony A560 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony A560 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A560 as a Portrait photography camera
29
focusing manually
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
72
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 Street photography features
Sony A560 Street photography features
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
75
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 Sports photography highlights
Sony A560 Sports photography highlights
42
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery power (1,050 CIPA)
comes with phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography advice
Sony A560 Travel photography advice
51
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
better than average battery power (1,050 per charge)
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax X90
Landscape photography with Sony A560
35
focusing manually
decently wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
73
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (1,050 shots)
has double storage slots
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging highlights
Sony A560 Vlogging highlights
23
decently wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic jack
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
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Pentax X90 vs Sony A560 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony A560
 Pentax X90Sony Alpha DSLR-A560
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X90 Sony Alpha DSLR-A560
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2010-07-06 2010-08-24
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m 12.00 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 secs
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 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
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 lbs) 599g (1.32 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 70
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.3
DXO Low light score not tested 817
Other
Battery life - 1050 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model D-L106 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single 2
Retail pricing $350 $650