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Pentax X90 vs Sony W290

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Pentax X90 vs Sony W290 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
  • Introduced July 2010
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Pentax X90 vs Sony W290 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Pentax X90 versus Sony W290, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the X90 (12MP) and the W290 (12MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The X90 was manufactured 17 months after the W290 making them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W290 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the X90 grades vs the W290 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony W290

 X90 W290 
AnnouncedJuly 2010February 2009More modern by 17 months

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Pentax X90

 W290 X90 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony W290

 X90 W290 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Pentax X90 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax X90 features external dimensions of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Sony W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax X90 versus Sony W290 in the all new Camera and 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 that moment. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the X90 compared to the W290.

Pentax X90 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the X90 and W290 is 69 and 94 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes purely by seeing a spec sheet. The picture below will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the X90 and W290.

As you can see, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of images however you will need to consider the production date of the cameras into account. The newer X90 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax X90 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax X90
Portrait photography with Sony W290
29
focusing manually
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
27
you can focus manually
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 Street photography info
Sony W290 Street photography info
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
42
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography information
Sony W290 Travel photography information
51
flash built-in
relatively wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
57
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax X90
Landscape photography with Sony W290
35
focusing manually
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
41
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging factors
Sony W290 Vlogging factors
23
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic port
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Pentax X90 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony W290
 Pentax X90Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-07-06 2009-02-17
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m 3.90 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428 gr (0.94 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $350 $230