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Pentax X90 vs Sony RX1R

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R front
Portability
79
Imaging
70
Features
58
Overall
65

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX1R 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
  • Launched July 2010
Sony RX1R
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0) lens
  • 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Updated by Sony RX1R II
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Pentax X90 vs Sony RX1R Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Pentax X90 vs Sony RX1R, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and RX1R (24MP) and the X90 (1/2.3") and RX1R (Full frame) use different sensor sizing.

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The X90 was unveiled 4 years earlier than the RX1R and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony RX1R being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the X90 matches up against the RX1R in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony RX1R

 X90 RX1R 

Reasons to pick Sony RX1R over the Pentax X90

 RX1R X90 
AnnouncedJune 2013July 2010Fresher by 36 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1229k230kSharper display (+999k dot)

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony RX1R

 X90 RX1R 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX1R Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera, you should factor its weight and size. The Pentax X90 enjoys exterior measurements of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Sony RX1R has specifications of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") along with a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax X90 vs Sony RX1R in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the X90 compared to the RX1R.

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX1R size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X90 and RX1R is 69 and 79 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX1R top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX1R Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizing simply by going over specifications. The visual here may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the X90 and RX1R.

To sum up, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The X90 having a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony RX1R will offer you more detail having an extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The older X90 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX1R sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX1R Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony RX1R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 Portrait photography information
Sony RX1R Portrait photography information
29
you can focus manually
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
82
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/4,000 seconds)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 Street photography features
Sony RX1R Street photography features
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
66
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
good ISO range (25,600)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (482 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX1R as a Sports photography camera
42
incredible zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
53
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
can't change focal length (35mm)
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
terrible battery life (270 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography factors
Sony RX1R Travel photography factors
51
has built in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
62
decent megapixels (24MP)
flash built-in
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (270 shots)
heavier than competitors in class (482g)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax X90
Landscape photography with Sony RX1R
35
you can focus manually
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
66
focusing manually
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
no image stabilization
terrible battery life (270 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX1R as a Vlogging camera
23
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic support
34
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic jack
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (482g)
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Pentax X90 vs Sony RX1R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony RX1R
 Pentax X90Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-07-06 2013-06-26
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 35mm (1x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.0
Macro focus range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - Xtra FineTFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic and Optical (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m 6.00 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/4000 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428 grams (0.94 lb) 482 grams (1.06 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 91
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.6
DXO Low light score not tested 2537
Other
Battery life - 270 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model D-L106 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $350 $2,798