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Pentax X90 vs Sony TX1

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 front
Portability
96
Imaging
33
Features
21
Overall
28

Pentax X90 vs Sony TX1 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 TX1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 58 x 17mm
  • Revealed August 2009
Photography Glossary

Pentax X90 vs Sony TX1 Overview

Following is a in depth review of the Pentax X90 versus Sony TX1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by rivals Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the X90 (12MP) and the TX1 (10MP) is fairly well matched but the X90 (1/2.3") and TX1 (1/2.4") posses totally different sensor measurements.

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The X90 was manufactured 12 months after the TX1 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony TX1 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting right into a full comparison, here is a short introduction of how the X90 grades versus the TX1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony TX1

 X90 TX1 
RevealedJuly 2010August 2009More modern by 12 months
Manual focus More exact focusing

Reasons to pick Sony TX1 over the Pentax X90

 TX1 X90 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony TX1

 X90 TX1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Pentax X90 vs Sony TX1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax X90 offers physical dimensions of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") having a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Sony TX1 has proportions of 94mm x 58mm x 17mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Check the Pentax X90 versus Sony TX1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at the time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the X90 against the TX1.

Pentax X90 vs Sony TX1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the X90 and TX1 is 69 and 96 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony TX1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony TX1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizes purely by checking technical specs. The pic here will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the X90 and TX1.

As you have seen, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The X90 due to its larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Pentax X90 will give you greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics way more aggressively. The newer X90 will have an advantage in sensor technology.

Pentax X90 vs Sony TX1 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony TX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony TX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 Portrait photography highlights
Sony TX1 Portrait photography highlights
29
focusing manually
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
19
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.4")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax X90
Street photography with Sony TX1
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.4")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Sports photography camera
Sony TX1 as a Sports photography camera
42
excellent zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,250 seconds)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.4")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax X90
Travel photography with Sony TX1
51
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 Landscape photography highlights
Sony TX1 Landscape photography highlights
35
focusing manually
really wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
31
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.4")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging advice
Sony TX1 Vlogging advice
23
really wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone socket
28
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone socket
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Pentax X90 vs Sony TX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony TX1
 Pentax X90Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Revealed 2010-07-06 2009-08-06
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip Prime Bionz
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.5-4.6
Macro focusing range 1cm 8cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1250 seconds
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 3.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 428g (0.94 lb) 142g (0.31 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 94 x 58 x 17mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7")
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 ID D-L106 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $350 $350