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Pentax X90 vs Sony A33

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony SLT-A33 front
Portability
67
Imaging
54
Features
80
Overall
64

Pentax X90 vs Sony A33 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
  • Revealed July 2010
Sony A33
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Revealed August 2010
  • Updated by Sony A35
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Pentax X90 vs Sony A33 Overview

Here is a complete review of the Pentax X90 versus Sony A33, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the X90 (12MP) and the A33 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the X90 (1/2.3") and A33 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor measurements.

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The X90 was manufactured within a month of the A33 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A33 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the X90 matches up against the A33 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony A33

 X90 A33 

Reasons to pick Sony A33 over the Pentax X90

 A33 X90 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony A33

 X90 A33 
RevealedJuly 2010August 2010Similar generation
Focus manually More exact focusing
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Pentax X90 vs Sony A33 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Pentax X90 has physical dimensions of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Sony A33 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Check out the Pentax X90 versus Sony A33 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is the front view scale comparison of the X90 and the A33.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A33 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the X90 and A33 is 69 and 67 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A33 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony A33 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing just by looking at specs. The visual here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the X90 and A33.

All in all, both of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The X90 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony A33 will resolve greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots much more aggressively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A33 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony A33 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony A33 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax X90
Portrait photography with Sony A33
29
manual focus
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
72
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 Street photography features
Sony A33 Street photography features
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
76
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 Sports photography details
Sony A33 Sports photography details
42
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking focus
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery life (340 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax X90
Travel photography with Sony A33
51
has built in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
61
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
doesn't have Timelapse recording
not so great battery life (340 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A33 as a Landscape photography camera
35
manual focus
relatively wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
67
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
not so great battery life (340 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging info
Sony A33 Vlogging info
23
relatively wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic support
77
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone socket
Photography Glossary

Pentax X90 vs Sony A33 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony A33
 Pentax X90Sony SLT-A33
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X90 Sony SLT-A33
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2010-07-06 2010-08-24
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate - 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160s
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 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428 grams (0.94 lbs) 500 grams (1.10 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 70
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.6
DXO Low light score not tested 591
Other
Battery life - 340 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model D-L106 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $350 $230