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Pentax X90 vs Sony HX99

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
67
Overall
53

Pentax X90 vs Sony HX99 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
  • Announced July 2010
Sony HX99
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3-inch Sensor
  • 3.00" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 242g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Revealed September 2018
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Pentax X90 vs Sony HX99 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Pentax X90 and Sony HX99, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and HX99 (18MP) and the X90 (1/2.3") and HX99 (1/2.3-inch) offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The X90 was announced 9 years before the HX99 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX99 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the X90 scores vs the HX99 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony HX99

 X90 HX99 

Reasons to pick Sony HX99 over the Pentax X90

 HX99 X90 
RevealedSeptember 2018July 2010Newer by 99 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3.00"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony HX99

 X90 HX99 
Manually focus Very exact focus

Pentax X90 vs Sony HX99 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax X90 comes with exterior dimensions of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") and a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Sony HX99 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") and a weight of 242 grams (0.53 lbs).

Look at the Pentax X90 and Sony HX99 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the X90 and the HX99.

Pentax X90 vs Sony HX99 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the X90 and HX99 is 69 and 91 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony HX99 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony HX99 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions only by checking out specs. The image underneath may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the X90 and HX99.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The X90 using its bigger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Sony HX99 will produce greater detail with its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged X90 will be behind in sensor tech.

Pentax X90 vs Sony HX99 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony HX99 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony HX99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX99 as a Portrait photography camera
29
manual focus
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
53
has manual focus
good MP (18MP)
provides face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3-inch)
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 Street photography info
Sony HX99 Street photography info
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
77
tilting screen
image stabilization
exports RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (242g)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3-inch)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax X90
Sports photography with Sony HX99
42
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
58
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization
good MP (18MP)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery power (360 CIPA)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3-inch)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax X90
Travel photography with Sony HX99
51
built-in flash
quite wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
no Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
76
better than average battery power (360 per charge)
lighter than competitors in class (242 grams)
good MP (18MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX99 as a Landscape photography camera
35
manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse function
58
has manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3.00 inches)
image stabilization
good MP (18MP)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (360 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3-inch)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging features
Sony HX99 Vlogging features
23
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone socket
76
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (242 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
missing mic port
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Pentax X90 vs Sony HX99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony HX99
 Pentax X90Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-07-06 2018-09-01
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Prime -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3-inch
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3.00 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 638 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.5x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes - Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
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) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p, 120p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 428 gr (0.94 lb) 242 gr (0.53 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" 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 - 360 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-L106 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $350 $469