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Pentax X90 vs Sony A57

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X90 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Pentax X90 vs Sony A57 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 A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Announced September 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A55
  • Later Model is Sony A58
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Pentax X90 vs Sony A57 Overview

Following is a complete review of the Pentax X90 vs Sony A57, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the X90 (12MP) and A57 (16MP) and the X90 (1/2.3") and A57 (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The X90 was unveiled 3 years before the A57 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the X90 matches up against the A57 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony A57

 X90 A57 

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Pentax X90

 A57 X90 
AnnouncedSeptember 2012July 2010More modern by 26 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony A57

 X90 A57 
Focus manually More precise focus
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Pentax X90 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Pentax X90 offers outer dimensions of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") and a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Sony A57 has specifications of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") having a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax X90 vs Sony A57 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the X90 and the A57.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X90 and A57 is 69 and 64 respectively.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes only by going over specifications. The image below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the X90 and A57.

Plainly, both the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The X90 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A57 will offer greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged X90 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Pentax X90 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Pentax X90 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X90 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X90 Portrait photography features
Sony A57 Portrait photography features
29
has manual focus
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
74
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X90 Street photography advice
Sony A57 Street photography advice
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
75
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X90 Sports photography highlights
Sony A57 Sports photography highlights
42
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking autofocus
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
78
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking focus
comes with phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Pentax X90 Travel photography advice
Sony A57 Travel photography advice
51
flash built-in
quite wide (26mm)
long reach (676mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
67
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X90 Landscape photography info
Sony A57 Landscape photography info
35
has manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
72
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X90 Vlogging highlights
Sony A57 Vlogging highlights
23
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic jack
77
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic support
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Pentax X90 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X90 and Sony A57
 Pentax X90Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X90 Sony SLT-A57
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-07-06 2012-09-13
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 16000
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
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 distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428 gr (0.94 lb) 618 gr (1.36 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 785
Other
Battery life - 550 photographs
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model D-L106 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $350 $1,000