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Pentax X90 vs Sony TX30

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30 front
Portability
96
Imaging
42
Features
43
Overall
42

Pentax X90 vs Sony TX30 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
  • Launched July 2010
Sony TX30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.5-4.8) lens
  • 141g - 96 x 59 x 15mm
  • Released July 2013
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Pentax X90 vs Sony TX30 Overview

Here is a extensive review of the Pentax X90 versus Sony TX30, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and TX30 (18MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The X90 was unveiled 4 years prior to the TX30 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony TX30 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the X90 scores vs the TX30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony TX30

 X90 TX30 

Reasons to pick Sony TX30 over the Pentax X90

 TX30 X90 
ReleasedJuly 2013July 2010Fresher by 37 months
Screen dimensions3.3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.6")
Screen resolution1229k230kSharper screen (+999k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony TX30

 X90 TX30 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Pentax X90 vs Sony TX30 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Pentax X90 has exterior dimensions of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") along with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Sony TX30 has specifications of 96mm x 59mm x 15mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.6") along with a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs).

Check the Pentax X90 versus Sony TX30 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the X90 vs the TX30.

Pentax X90 vs Sony TX30 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the X90 and TX30 is 69 and 96 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony TX30 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony TX30 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizing only by seeing specs. The visual below may give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the X90 and TX30.

All in all, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Sony TX30 to provide greater detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older X90 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax X90 vs Sony TX30 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony TX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony TX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony TX30 as a Portrait photography camera
29
manual focus
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
38
you can focus manually
MP count good (18MP)
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 Street photography details
Sony TX30 Street photography details
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
64
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Sports photography camera
Sony TX30 as a Sports photography camera
42
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
46
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
weather proof
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography features
Sony TX30 Travel photography features
51
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
weather proof
MP count good (18MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 Landscape photography info
Sony TX30 Landscape photography info
35
manual focus
really wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
51
you can focus manually
quite wide (26mm)
screen is a good size (3.3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax X90
Vlogging with Sony TX30
23
really wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
34
quite wide (26mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic port
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Pentax X90 vs Sony TX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony TX30
 Pentax X90Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Launched 2010-07-06 2013-07-26
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Prime -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.5-4.8
Macro focus range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3.3"
Display resolution 230k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428 grams (0.94 pounds) 141 grams (0.31 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 96 x 59 x 15mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model D-L106 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal -
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $350 $230