Pentax W90
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
- Introduced February 2010
- Read full specs
- Alternatives
- Size Comparison
- FAQ
94 Imaging
35 Features
21 Overall
29
Pentax W90 overview
Pentax W90 is Pentax's Waterproof digital camera originally launched on February of 2010. It has got a 12 MegaPixel, CCD 1/2.3" size sensor with a maximum resolution of 4000 x 3000.
The W90 is ranked #68 out of 75 in Waterproof cameras & all round #1136 out of 1465 for cameras in our collection. Remember to try our Advanced camera search to see camera ratings based on your customized factors.
The following is a diagram of multiple criteria used in the scoring system.
Pentax W90 history
The Pentax W90 has a history of related cameras. Below, you can check out all past and current models alongside important specs.
F3.5-5.512MP1/2.3"2010
Pentax W90 Gallery
You can view the W90 from various angles in the gallery here.
Pentax W90 Pros and Cons
Here is a checklist of pluses and minuses of the Pentax W90 based on criterias which are oftentimes viewed as important in a digital camera.
Pentax W90 Sensor features
The Pentax W90 is run by the Prime processor. The measurement of the sensor in the Pentax W90 is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor has the ability to resolve 4000 x 3000 pixels with aspect ratios of 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9.
Photography GlossaryThe CCD sensor has 12MP and provides a standard ISO range of 80 - 6400. Sadly, RAW files are not saved therefore the user has less margin for error.
The image underneath shows the W90's sensor size when compared to other popular sizes. The W90 sensor has a crop factor of 5.8 and is presented in green.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthTo get an idea of various aspect ratios, you can refer to the graphic below.
Pentax W90 dimensions
Pentax W90 weighs in at 0.36 pounds (164 grams / 5.78 ounces) & has outer size of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0"). The weight of normal Waterproof camera is 195 grams so the Pentax W90 is lighter than its competitors.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesDown below is a image of the Pentax W90 with a soft drink to help you get a sense of its size.
The top view just below will illustrate the button design on the W90.
Pentax W90 Lens features
The W90 comes with a fixed lens with a focal range of 28-140mm giving it a 5.0 x zoom which isn't really huge however it may be invaluable in a few scenarios.
At it's widest 28mm, the lens has an aperture of f3.5 and that is fairly sluggish and not very good for low light occasions and you will likely find it hard to get good bokeh. You could also have to raise your ISO setting which results in noisy photos. For the long end, 140mm comes to f5.5 which is quite slow and you would have to set slower shutter speeds.
Pentax W90 Connectivity
The W90 has the following connectivity:
- USB Yes
- Wireless Yes
Cameras which include NFC or Bluetooth support can be used wirelessly through smartphones. You are able to send images and oftentimes change camera settings with no need to connect physically with the camera.
Certain apps also give a Liveview and click the shutter in case you aren't near the camera. If the camera provides a HDMI port, it can be hooked up to an external display. A good number of cameras enable you to recharge the battery using the USB port.
Pentax W90 Video features
The maximum video resolution in the Pentax W90 is 1280 x 720 and you can save in Motion JPEG file format. 720p is awful for today's standards. You really should target at least 1080p resolution for decent video. The body doesn't feature a microphone or headphone socket which means that you have got zero control over the audio. It is perhaps a better idea to take a look at an alternative model if you want better audio for your videos.
Pentax W90 Weather Sealing
Pentax W90 provides environment sealing which makes it a fantastic candidate for use during tricky climates. This is particularly handy any time you are unsure about the elements you might face during outdoor photography.
Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder
The Pentax W90 has got a 2.7 inch fixed display screen with a resolution of 230 thousand dots.
Please be aware that the display has no touch support.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe View Finder specs for Pentax W90 are below:
- ViewFinder None
For sunny outdoor situations that make the camera screens washed out and tough to see, viewfinders can be rather useful.
Pentax W90 Shutter features
Pentax W90 has the ability to shoot continuously at 1.0 frames/s. The max shutter speed is 1/1500 sec.
Pentax W90 Flash and Hot shoe features
Pentax W90 has just built-in flash lacking external flash ability.
Pentax W90 Autofocus features
Pentax W90 has only Contrast Detect Auto Focus & does not have Phase Detect Auto Focus. Phase Detection focusing is a lot more quicker & accurate than Contrast Detect focusing.
It has got 9 focus points to pick from. Pentax W90 boasts manual focus if needed during low light or you want more exact focus control.
Pentax W90 Battery life
The general Waterproof camera battery life is 275. Olympus TG-4 has got the highest possible (380) battery life within this type of cameras.
Below is a collection of Waterproof cameras with the best battery life:
Pentax W90 for specific forms of photography
The following graph presents a summation of the Pentax W90 for specific forms of photography. To see more, have a look at the specific section underneath.
Pentax W90 as a Portrait photography camera
The Pentax W90 receives a rating of 27 which is terrible, and means the camera is simply not appropriate to use for portrait photography. Taking portrait photos leans greatly towards sensor dimensions, RAW support in addition to the ability to work with off-camera flash.
Pentax W90 Street photography features
Coming in at a decent points total of 54, the Pentax W90 is fairly suited to buy for street photography. A decent street photography camera has a perfect balance of image quality plus portability.
Pentax W90 Sports photography features
A terrible sports photography points total of 24 suggests the Pentax W90 is simply not appropriate for taking pictures of sports. A camera should have very good focusing and fast shutter speeds for sports photography.
Pentax W90 as a Travel photography camera
Portability is really crucial when getting a travel camera. All things considered, the Pentax W90 gets a very good 64 as a travelling camera which is a fine choice to take on your trips.
Landscape photography with Pentax W90
For anyone planning to buy a digital camera for landscape photos, the most significant factor is going to be image quality. The Pentax W90 with it's terrible rating of 37 as a landscape camera is simply not appropriate compared to its competitors.
Pentax W90 Vlogging information
A camera for vlogging preferably should posses a moving display, mic input and ideally IBIS. Considering all the details, the Pentax W90 is simply not appropriate for vlogging as it delivers a terrible rating of 25.
Pentax W90 Alternatives
If you want alternatives to the W90, below is a list of the top ranked cameras that fall within the category of Waterproof.
The diagram here provides you a summary of the W90 compared to it's highest scored rivals mentioned above.
Following are several cameras you may see as alternative options. To read a complete comparison, just click on the "compare" link.