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Pentax X90 vs Sony W830

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830 front
Portability
96
Imaging
45
Features
26
Overall
37

Pentax X90 vs Sony W830 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 W830
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-6.3) lens
  • 122g - 93 x 52 x 23mm
  • Released January 2014
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Pentax X90 vs Sony W830 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Pentax X90 and Sony W830, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and W830 (20MP) but both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The X90 was launched 4 years prior to the W830 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W830 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a short summary of how the X90 scores vs the W830 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony W830

 X90 W830 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing

Reasons to pick Sony W830 over the Pentax X90

 W830 X90 
ReleasedJanuary 2014July 2010More recent by 42 months

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony W830

 X90 W830 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen size
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Pentax X90 vs Sony W830 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera often, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax X90 provides 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 W830 has measurements of 93mm x 52mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") with a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax X90 and Sony W830 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 change dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the X90 versus the W830.

Pentax X90 vs Sony W830 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X90 and W830 is 69 and 96 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony W830 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony W830 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to see the difference between sensor measurements simply by checking specs. The graphic underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the X90 and W830.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Sony W830 to give you extra detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures more aggressively. The older X90 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax X90 vs Sony W830 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony W830 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony W830 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 Portrait photography details
Sony W830 Portrait photography details
29
has manual focus
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
38
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
offers face detect focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Street photography camera
Sony W830 as a Street photography camera
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
59
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W830 as a Sports photography camera
42
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking focus
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
43
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
offers tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography highlights
Sony W830 Travel photography highlights
51
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low MP (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
67
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax X90
Landscape photography with Sony W830
35
has manual focus
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
41
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging highlights
Sony W830 Vlogging highlights
23
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone port
32
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
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Pentax X90 vs Sony W830 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony W830
 Pentax X90Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Revealed 2010-07-06 2014-01-07
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime Bionz
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 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 5152 x 3864
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.3-6.3
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 2.80 m (with ISO auto)
Flash settings - Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Flash Off / Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 428 gr (0.94 lb) 122 gr (0.27 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 93 x 52 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9")
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 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo, microSD/microSDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $350 $128