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Pentax X90 vs Sony S2100

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Pentax X90 vs Sony S2100 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
  • Revealed July 2010
Sony S2100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-105mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 61 x 27mm
  • Launched January 2010
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Pentax X90 vs Sony S2100 Overview

The following is a extended analysis of the Pentax X90 vs Sony S2100, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the X90 (12MP) and the S2100 (12MP) is fairly close and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The X90 was announced 6 months after the S2100 and they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony S2100 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple overview of how the X90 matches up versus the S2100 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony S2100

 X90 S2100 
Manual focus More precise focus

Reasons to pick Sony S2100 over the Pentax X90

 S2100 X90 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony S2100

 X90 S2100 
LaunchedJuly 2010January 2010Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Pentax X90 vs Sony S2100 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax X90 features outside measurements 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 S2100 has sizing of 98mm x 61mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Pentax X90 vs Sony S2100 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is a front view size comparison of the X90 compared to the S2100.

Pentax X90 vs Sony S2100 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the X90 and S2100 is 69 and 93 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony S2100 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony S2100 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by viewing technical specs. The picture below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the X90 and S2100.

As you have seen, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution and you should expect comparable quality of photos but you may want to factor the release date of the cameras into account.

Pentax X90 vs Sony S2100 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony S2100 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony S2100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 Portrait photography details
Sony S2100 Portrait photography details
29
manual focus
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
21
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 Street photography info
Sony S2100 Street photography info
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
46
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 Sports photography details
Sony S2100 Sports photography details
42
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
17
max shutter speed is low (1/1,200 seconds)
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography information
Sony S2100 Travel photography information
51
built-in flash
rather wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
lack of Timelapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
50
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 Landscape photography info
Sony S2100 Landscape photography info
35
manual focus
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
27
nice screen size (3")
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging factors
Sony S2100 Vlogging factors
23
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
missing microphone support
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Pentax X90 vs Sony S2100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony S2100
 Pentax X90Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-07-06 2010-01-07
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Prime Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 33-105mm (3.2x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 1 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1200 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 3.30 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
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 grams (0.94 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 98 x 61 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 ID D-L106 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, optional SD, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $350 $0