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Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N 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 NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Released October 2011
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-5R
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Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Pentax X90 versus Sony NEX-5N, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) and the X90 (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) use different sensor measurements.

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The X90 was revealed 15 months earlier than the NEX-5N which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief summary of how the X90 matches up vs the NEX-5N with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony NEX-5N

 X90 NEX-5N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Pentax X90

 NEX-5N X90 
ReleasedOctober 2011July 2010Fresher by 15 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony NEX-5N

 X90 NEX-5N 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Pentax X90 offers exterior measurements of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") along with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax X90 versus Sony NEX-5N in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the X90 and the NEX-5N.

Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the X90 and NEX-5N is 69 and 89 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing purely by going through technical specs. The visual underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the X90 and NEX-5N.

As you have seen, both of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The X90 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Sony NEX-5N will produce extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older X90 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 Portrait photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography advice
29
manual focus
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
73
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Street photography camera
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
80
tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
comes with focus by touch
good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography advice
42
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking focus
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
58
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great battery (460 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax X90
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5N
51
built-in flash
really wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
70
great battery (460 per charge)
comes with focus by touch
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Landscape photography camera
35
manual focus
really wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
71
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
great battery (460 shots)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Vlogging camera
23
really wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
33
has touchscreen
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have microphone jack
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Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony NEX-5N
 Pentax X90Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X90 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2010-07-06 2011-10-03
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Prime Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.10 m 12.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 428 grams (0.94 lb) 269 grams (0.59 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 77
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 1079
Other
Battery life - 460 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model D-L106 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $350 $550