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Pentax X90 vs Sony W230

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Pentax X90 vs Sony W230 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 W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Introduced February 2009
Photography Glossary

Pentax X90 vs Sony W230 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Pentax X90 versus Sony W230, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the X90 (12MP) and the W230 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras posses the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The X90 was announced 17 months after the W230 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the X90 matches up vs the W230 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony W230

 X90 W230 
IntroducedJuly 2010February 2009Newer by 17 months

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Pentax X90

 W230 X90 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony W230

 X90 W230 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Pentax X90 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax X90 enjoys outside measurements 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 W230 has dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Examine the Pentax X90 versus Sony W230 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the X90 against the W230.

Pentax X90 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X90 and W230 is 69 and 95 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to picture the gap in sensor dimensions purely by looking through specifications. The image underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the X90 and W230.

To sum up, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of files but you really should factor the production date of the cameras into account. The fresher X90 provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

Pentax X90 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax X90
Portrait photography with Sony W230
29
has manual focus
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
27
focusing manually
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Street photography camera
Sony W230 as a Street photography camera
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax X90
Sports photography with Sony W230
42
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking autofocus
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax X90
Travel photography with Sony W230
51
flash built-in
relatively wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 Landscape photography details
Sony W230 Landscape photography details
35
has manual focus
relatively wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
36
focusing manually
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging info
Sony W230 Vlogging info
23
relatively wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone jack
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing mic support
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Pentax X90 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony W230
 Pentax X90Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-07-06 2009-02-17
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
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 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 1 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 3.90 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 428g (0.94 lb) 156g (0.34 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 recording
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $350 $180