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Pentax X90 vs Sony a1

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Pentax X90 vs Sony a1 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 a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Launched January 2021
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Pentax X90 vs Sony a1 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Pentax X90 versus Sony a1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and a1 (50MP) and the X90 (1/2.3") and a1 (Full frame) possess different sensor sizes.

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The X90 was released 11 years prior to the a1 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summation of how the X90 scores versus the a1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony a1

 X90 a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Pentax X90

 a1 X90 
LaunchedJanuary 2021July 2010More modern by 128 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1440k230kCrisper display (+1210k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony a1

 X90 a1 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Pentax X90 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax X90 provides exterior 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 a1 has dimensions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

See the Pentax X90 versus Sony a1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the X90 against the a1.

Pentax X90 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the X90 and a1 is 69 and 61 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes merely by going through specifications. The picture below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the X90 and a1.

Plainly, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The X90 because of its smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh trickier and the Sony a1 will produce more detail as a result of its extra 38 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged X90 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax X90 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 Portrait photography details
Sony a1 Portrait photography details
29
focusing manually
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
88
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/400s)
megapixel count excellent (50 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax X90
Street photography with Sony a1
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
79
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
offers touch focus
environment sealing
great high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax X90
Sports photography with Sony a1
42
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
90
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
max frames per second high (30.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count excellent (50 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment sealing
good battery pack (530 shots)
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography factors
Sony a1 Travel photography factors
51
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
missing Timelapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
73
good battery pack (530 CIPA)
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
offers touch focus
megapixel count excellent (50MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax X90
Landscape photography with Sony a1
35
focusing manually
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
88
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count excellent (50 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
great high ISO (32,000)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
good battery pack (530 CIPA)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging details
Sony a1 Vlogging details
23
fairly wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone jack
36
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (7680 x 4320 pxls)
includes external microphone support
screen is not selfie friendly
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Pentax X90 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony a1
 Pentax X90Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X90 Sony Alpha a1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2010-07-06 2021-01-26
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Prime -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 50 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 8640 x 5760
Highest native ISO 6400 32000
Highest enhanced ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 759
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 133
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.9x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 30.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m no built-in flash
Flash modes - Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/400 seconds
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) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 7680x4320
Video format Motion JPEG XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 428g (0.94 lbs) 737g (1.62 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 530 shots
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-L106 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Single Two
Pricing at release $350 $6,498