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Pentax X90 vs Sony A55

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Pentax X90 vs Sony A55 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
  • Announced July 2010
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Introduced August 2010
  • New Model is Sony A57
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Pentax X90 vs Sony A55 Overview

The following is a extended analysis of the Pentax X90 vs Sony A55, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and A55 (16MP) and the X90 (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The X90 was announced very close to the A55 so they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick summary of how the X90 scores versus the A55 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony A55

 X90 A55 

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Pentax X90

 A55 X90 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony A55

 X90 A55 
IntroducedJuly 2010August 2010Similar generation
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Pentax X90 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax X90 has got exterior measurements 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 A55 has dimensions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Compare the Pentax X90 vs Sony A55 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the X90 versus the A55.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the X90 and A55 is 69 and 67 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to see the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading a spec sheet. The image underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the X90 and A55.

As you can see, both of those cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The X90 having a tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony A55 will deliver more detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images more aggressively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 Portrait photography factors
Sony A55 Portrait photography factors
29
focusing manually
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
73
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 Street photography details
Sony A55 Street photography details
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
77
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 Sports photography highlights
Sony A55 Sports photography highlights
42
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking focus
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low battery pack (380 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography features
Sony A55 Travel photography features
51
flash built-in
reasonably wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
no Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
62
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery pack (380 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 Landscape photography info
Sony A55 Landscape photography info
35
focusing manually
reasonably wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Timelapse mode
67
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
low battery pack (380 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging advice
Sony A55 Vlogging advice
23
reasonably wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone jack
78
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone port
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Pentax X90 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony A55
 Pentax X90Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax X90 Sony SLT-A55
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-07-06 2010-08-24
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip 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 area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 26-676mm (26.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed - 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 428 gr (0.94 lb) 500 gr (1.10 lb)
Physical 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 rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 816
Other
Battery life - 380 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID 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
Storage slots One One
Retail price $350 $800