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Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VA

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A) front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
77
Overall
63

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VA 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
  • Announced July 2010
Sony RX100 VA
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 299g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Launched July 2018
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Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VA Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VA, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and RX100 VA (20MP) and the X90 (1/2.3") and RX100 VA (1") use totally different sensor measurements.

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The X90 was manufactured 9 years prior to the RX100 VA and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony RX100 VA being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summary of how the X90 matches up versus the RX100 VA with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony RX100 VA

 X90 RX100 VA 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 VA over the Pentax X90

 RX100 VA X90 
LaunchedJuly 2018July 2010Fresher by 97 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kCrisper screen (+999k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony RX100 VA

 X90 RX100 VA 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VA Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax X90 offers external measurements of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") and a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Sony RX100 VA has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VA in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the X90 compared to the RX100 VA.

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VA size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X90 and RX100 VA is 69 and 89 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VA top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VA Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing just by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the X90 and RX100 VA.

As you can see, both of those cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The X90 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony RX100 VA will give you greater detail due to its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The older X90 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VA sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 Portrait photography details
Sony RX100 VA Portrait photography details
29
you can focus manually
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
66
manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000s)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 Street photography info
Sony RX100 VA Street photography info
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
86
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (299g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 Sports photography highlights
Sony RX100 VA Sports photography highlights
42
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
70
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high frames per second (24.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
features tracking autofocus
supports phase detect AF
low battery pack (220 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography information
Sony RX100 VA Travel photography information
51
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
no Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
76
lighter than competitors in class (299 grams)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
reasonably wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
no Timelapse function
low battery pack (220 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX100 VA as a Landscape photography camera
35
you can focus manually
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse function
66
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low battery pack (220 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging information
Sony RX100 VA Vlogging information
23
decently wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone port
81
reasonably wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (299 grams)
no external microphone jack
Photography Glossary

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VA Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony RX100 VA
 Pentax X90Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-07-06 2018-07-13
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor 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
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 315
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 24.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 10.20 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings - Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/2000 seconds
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) NP-BX1 lithium-ion battery & USB charger
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 428 grams (0.94 lb) 299 grams (0.66 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
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 - 220 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-L106 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $350 $998