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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W690

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W690 Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Released July 2014
Sony W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Announced February 2012
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W690 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Pentax XG-1 versus Sony W690, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the W690 (16MP) is relatively close and they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The XG-1 was launched 2 years after the W690 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W690 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple view of how the XG-1 scores vs the W690 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony W690

 XG-1 W690 
AnnouncedJuly 2014February 2012More modern by 29 months
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Pentax XG-1

 W690 XG-1 

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony W690

 XG-1 W690 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax XG-1 has exterior measurements of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) while the Sony W690 has proportions of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax XG-1 versus Sony W690 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the XG-1 vs the W690.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W690 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the XG-1 and W690 is 66 and 95 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W690 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor sizes only by looking through specs. The pic here should give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the XG-1 and W690.

All in all, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of photographs though you really should take the production date of the cameras into account. The younger XG-1 is going to have an edge in sensor innovation.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W690 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W690 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax XG-1
Portrait photography with Sony W690
40
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
34
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Street photography camera
Sony W690 as a Street photography camera
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
heavier than competition in class (567g)
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Sports photography info
Sony W690 Sports photography info
45
amazing zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (240 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
includes tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W690 as a Travel photography camera
52
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great zoom (1248mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery (240 CIPA)
heavier than competition in class (567g)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
missing Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W690 as a Landscape photography camera
45
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery (240 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
43
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Vlogging advice
Sony W690 Vlogging advice
25
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic port
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
31
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone port
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W690 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony W690
 Pentax XG-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax XG-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-07-15 2012-02-28
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1248mm (52.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.6 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dot -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 9.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.00 m 3.30 m
Flash settings Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 567 grams (1.25 lb) 142 grams (0.31 lb)
Dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 94 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 240 images 220 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LB-060 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $599 $297