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Pentax X90 vs Sony WX30

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39

Pentax X90 vs Sony WX30 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 WX30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Revealed July 2011
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Pentax X90 vs Sony WX30 Overview

The following is a extended review of the Pentax X90 vs Sony WX30, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and WX30 (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The X90 was announced 12 months prior to the WX30 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras have different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony WX30 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick view of how the X90 scores versus the WX30 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony WX30

 X90 WX30 
Focus manually Dial exact focus

Reasons to pick Sony WX30 over the Pentax X90

 WX30 X90 
RevealedJuly 2011July 2010Newer by 12 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony WX30

 X90 WX30 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Pentax X90 vs Sony WX30 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Pentax X90 offers 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) whilst the Sony WX30 has specifications of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax X90 vs Sony WX30 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the X90 vs the WX30.

Pentax X90 vs Sony WX30 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the X90 and WX30 is 69 and 96 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony WX30 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony WX30 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading specs. The image below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the X90 and WX30.

All in all, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Sony WX30 to offer you greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged X90 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax X90 vs Sony WX30 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony WX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony WX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony WX30 as a Portrait photography camera
29
has manual focus
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
30
megapixel count good (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Street photography camera
Sony WX30 as a Street photography camera
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 Sports photography information
Sony WX30 Sports photography information
42
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography information
Sony WX30 Travel photography information
51
built-in flash
decently wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than average in class (117g)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 Landscape photography information
Sony WX30 Landscape photography information
35
has manual focus
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
43
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Vlogging camera
Sony WX30 as a Vlogging camera
23
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
35
relatively wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (117g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone socket
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Pentax X90 vs Sony WX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony WX30
 Pentax X90Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-07-06 2011-07-25
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - XtraFine TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m 3.70 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428g (0.94 lbs) 117g (0.26 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7")
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 life - 250 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model D-L106 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $350 $259