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Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VI

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VI front
Portability
88
Imaging
54
Features
75
Overall
62

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VI 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
  • Revealed July 2010
Sony RX100 VI
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-200mm (F2.8-4.5) lens
  • 301g - 102 x 58 x 43mm
  • Released June 2018
  • Succeeded the Sony RX100 V
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 VII
Photography Glossary

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VI Overview

The following is a in-depth review of the Pentax X90 versus Sony RX100 VI, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and RX100 VI (20MP) and the X90 (1/2.3") and RX100 VI (1") have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The X90 was unveiled 9 years prior to the RX100 VI which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony RX100 VI being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the X90 grades against the RX100 VI in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony RX100 VI

 X90 RX100 VI 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 VI over the Pentax X90

 RX100 VI X90 
ReleasedJune 2018July 2010Newer by 96 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kSharper screen (+999k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony RX100 VI

 X90 RX100 VI 
Manually focus Very precise focus

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VI Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax X90 enjoys outside dimensions of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Sony RX100 VI has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 43mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.7") with a weight of 301 grams (0.66 lbs).

Look at the Pentax X90 versus Sony RX100 VI in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the X90 and the RX100 VI.

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VI size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the X90 and RX100 VI is 69 and 88 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VI top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VI Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to envision the difference between sensor dimensions only by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the X90 and RX100 VI.

Clearly, both of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The X90 with its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF harder and the Sony RX100 VI will offer extra detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged X90 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VI sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VI Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 Portrait photography information
Sony RX100 VI Portrait photography information
29
manual focus
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
66
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Street photography camera
Sony RX100 VI as a Street photography camera
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
85
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
provides focus via touch
lighter than average in class (301g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax X90
Sports photography with Sony RX100 VI
42
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
70
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high fps (24.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
supports tracking focus
comes with phase detect AF
terrible battery (240 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography details
Sony RX100 VI Travel photography details
51
built-in flash
really wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
77
lighter than average in class (301 grams)
connects via bluetooth
provides focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
pretty wide (24mm)
terrible battery (240 CIPA)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 Landscape photography advice
Sony RX100 VI Landscape photography advice
35
manual focus
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
65
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
terrible battery (240 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX100 VI as a Vlogging camera
23
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic port
77
pretty wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than average in class (301 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have microphone port
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Pentax X90 vs Sony RX100 VI Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony RX100 VI
 Pentax X90Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VI
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VI
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-07-06 2018-06-05
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface area 27.7mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
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
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 315
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 24-200mm (8.3x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-4.5
Macro focusing range 1cm 8cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting speed - 24.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 5.90 m (at Auto ISO)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 lbs) 301 grams (0.66 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 102 x 58 x 43mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.7")
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 - 240 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-L106 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $350 $1,198