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Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 II

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II front
Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
74
Overall
60

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 II 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
  • Introduced July 2010
Sony RX100 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 281g - 102 x 58 x 38mm
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Replaced the Sony RX100
  • Later Model is Sony RX100 III
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Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 II Overview

Below, we are looking at the Pentax X90 and Sony RX100 II, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and RX100 II (20MP) and the X90 (1/2.3") and RX100 II (1") possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The X90 was unveiled 4 years prior to the RX100 II which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony RX100 II being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a simple overview of how the X90 matches up versus the RX100 II with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony RX100 II

 X90 RX100 II 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 II over the Pentax X90

 RX100 II X90 
IntroducedJune 2013July 2010More modern by 36 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1229k230kClearer display (+999k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony RX100 II

 X90 RX100 II 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 II Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Pentax X90 offers outer measurements of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") and a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 II has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 281 grams (0.62 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax X90 and Sony RX100 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the X90 against the RX100 II.

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 II size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the X90 and RX100 II is 69 and 89 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 II top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 II Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to see the difference in sensor sizes simply by researching specifications. The pic here may give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the X90 and RX100 II.

To sum up, the two cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The X90 using its smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh tougher and the Sony RX100 II will result in extra detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The more aged X90 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 II sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax X90
Portrait photography with Sony RX100 II
29
manual focus
no external flash support
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
70
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax X90
Street photography with Sony RX100 II
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
85
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (281g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 II as a Sports photography camera
42
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
comes with tracking focus
great battery (350 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography features
Sony RX100 II Travel photography features
51
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
missing Timelapse function
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
80
great battery (350 per charge)
lighter than competitors in class (281g)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX100 II as a Landscape photography camera
35
manual focus
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Timelapse function
74
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW formats
great battery (350 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging details
Sony RX100 II Vlogging details
23
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone jack
37
reasonably wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (281g)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
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Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony RX100 II
 Pentax X90Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-07-06 2013-06-27
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Prime -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 80 160
RAW files
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 28-100mm (3.6x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 2.7
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - Xtra Fine WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 15.00 m (ISO Auto (W))
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/2000s
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 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 428 gr (0.94 lbs) 281 gr (0.62 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 102 x 58 x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 67
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 483
Other
Battery life - 350 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-L106 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec. / 2 sec. / Self-portrait One-person/ Self-portrait Two-person/ Self timer Continuous (3 or 5 shots))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $350 $598