Pentax X90 vs Sony HX30V
69 Imaging
35 Features
34 Overall
34


90 Imaging
41 Features
50 Overall
44
Pentax X90 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs
(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
- Revealed July 2010
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
- 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
- Launched February 2012
- Earlier Model is Sony HX20V
- Updated by Sony HX50V

Pentax X90 vs Sony HX30V Overview
Let's look a little more in depth at the Pentax X90 vs Sony HX30V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and HX30V (18MP) but they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The X90 was released 20 months before the HX30V making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX30V being a Compact camera.
Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the X90 scores against the HX30V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Pentax X90 vs Sony HX30V Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax X90 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V. The complete galleries are provided at Pentax X90 Gallery and Sony HX30V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony HX30V
X90 | HX30V |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Pentax X90
HX30V | X90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2012 | ![]() | July 2010 | More recent by 20 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony HX30V
X90 | HX30V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lack of Touch display |
Pentax X90 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax X90 provides outside 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) while the Sony HX30V has sizing of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).
Check out the Pentax X90 vs Sony HX30V in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the X90 versus the HX30V.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the X90 and HX30V is 69 and 90 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very tough to envision the gap in sensor measurements just by researching technical specs. The graphic here will give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the X90 and HX30V.
As you can tell, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Sony HX30V to render more detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The older X90 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Pentax X90 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony HX30V Specifications
Pentax X90 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax X90 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2010-07-06 | 2012-02-28 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Prime | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 18MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4896 x 3672 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 26-676mm (26.0x) | 25-500mm (20.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/2.8-5.0 | f/3.2-5.8 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 922k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | - | XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | - | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 9.10 m | 7.10 m |
Flash settings | - | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported 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), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 428 gr (0.94 lb) | 254 gr (0.56 lb) |
Dimensions | 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") | 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | - | 320 photos |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-L106 | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $350 | $420 |