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Sony H90

 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90 front
 
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 222g - 105 x 60 x 34mm
  • Released February 2012
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Sony H90 summary

Sony H90 is Sony's Small Sensor Superzoom digital camera first announced on February of 2012. The camera comes with a 16MP, CCD 1/2.3" size sensor with a max resolution of 4608 x 3456.

The H90 is positioned #172 out of 244 in Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and overall #822 out of 1465 for digital cameras in our list. You should look at our Smart camera filter to see camera listings based on your personal requirements.

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The following is a diagram of specific factors used in the rating system.

Sony H90 history

The Sony H90 comes with a history of related digital cameras. Below, you can view all previous and more recent models along with important specifications.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX350 front thumbnailSony HX350
H90 vs HX350
24-1200mm
F2.8-6.3
20MP1/2.3"2016
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX80 front thumbnailSony HX80
H90 vs HX80
24-720mm
F3.5-6.4
18MP1/2.3"2016
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Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX90V front thumbnailSony HX90V
H90 vs HX90V
24-720mm
F3.5-6.4
18MP1/2.3"2015
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-H300 front thumbnailSony H300
H90 vs H300
25-875mm
F3-5.9
20MP1/2.3"2014
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-H400 front thumbnailSony H400
H90 vs H400
25-1550mm
F3.4-6.5
20MP1/2.3"2014
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX400V front thumbnailSony HX400V
H90 vs HX400V
24-1200mm
F2.8-6.3
20MP1/2.3"2014
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Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX50V front thumbnailSony HX50V
H90 vs HX50V
24-720mm
F3.5 - 6.3
20MP1/2.3"2013
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX300 front thumbnailSony HX300
H90 vs HX300
24-1200mm
F2.8-6.3
20MP1/2.3"2013
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-H200 front thumbnailSony H200
H90 vs H200
24-633mm
F3.1-5.9
20MP1/2.3"2013
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX20V front thumbnailSony HX20V
H90 vs HX20V
25-500mm
F3.2-5.8
18MP1/2.3"2012
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX200V front thumbnailSony HX200V
H90 vs HX200V
27-810mm
F2.8-5.6
18MP1/2.3"2012
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Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX10V front thumbnailSony HX10V
H90 vs HX10V
24-400mm
F3.3-5.9
18MP1/2.3"2012
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX30V front thumbnailSony HX30V
H90 vs HX30V
25-500mm
F3.2-5.8
18MP1/2.3"2012
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-H90 front thumbnailSony H9024-384mm
F3.3-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2012
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX100V front thumbnailSony HX100V
H90 vs HX100V
27-810mm
F2.8-5.6
16MP1/2.3"2011
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX7V front thumbnailSony HX7V
H90 vs HX7V
25-250mm
F3.5-5.5
16MP1/2.3"2011
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX9V front thumbnailSony HX9V
H90 vs HX9V
24-384mm
F3.3-5.9
16MP1/2.3"2011
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-H70 front thumbnailSony H70
H90 vs H70
25-250mm
F3.5-5.5
16MP1/2.3"2011
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-H55 front thumbnailSony H55
H90 vs H55
25-250mm
F3.5-5.5
14MP1/2.3"2010
Photography Glossary
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-H20 front thumbnailSony H20
H90 vs H20
38-380mm
F3.5-4.4
10MP1/2.3"2009
Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-H50 front thumbnailSony H50
H90 vs H50
31-465mm
F2.7-4.5
9MP1/2.3"2009

Sony H90 Pros and Cons

Here is a list of positives and negatives of the Sony H90 based on factors that are often considered useful in a digital camera.

good minimum ISO (80)
has built in flash
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
includes tracking autofocus
lighter than average in class (222g)
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
nice screen size (3 inch)
reasonably wide (24mm)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
very long reach (384mm)
cannot use external flash
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic jack
does not have HDMI support
does not have headphone jack
does not have Time Lapse recording
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
has no phase detect auto focus
has no RAW support
low resolution screen (461 thousand dot)
max zoom aperture not good (f5.9)
no aperture priority
no manual focus
no shutter priority
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
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Sony H90 Sensor information

The Sony H90 houses the BIONZ processor. The spec of the sensor on the Sony H90 is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor has the capability to capture 4608 x 3456 pixels with aspect ratios of 4:3 and 16:9. The camera has got Image Stabilization (Optical). In body stabilization is more effective than digital stabilization since the latter can easily cause cropping.

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The CCD sensor boasts 16 megapixels and gives a standard ISO range of 80 to 3200. Sadly, RAW format is not supported so you have less room to maneuver in post.

The image below displays the H90's sensor size in comparison to other popular sizes. The H90 sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.8 and is highlighted in green.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90 sensor size Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

To get a sense of specific aspect ratios, you should refer to the graphic below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Sony H90 dimensions

Sony H90 weighs in at 0.49 pounds (222 gr / 7.83 ounces) and features external dimensions of 105mm x 60mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3"). The weight of typical Small Sensor Superzoom camera is 387 gr and the Sony H90 is less heavy than other rivals.

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The following is a photo of the Sony H90 next to a soda so you're able to have a feel for its size.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90 dimensions scale

The top view here will illustrate the button design on the H90.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90 topview buttons dials

Sony H90 Lens information

The H90 features a built in lens with a focal range of 24-384mm giving it a 16.0 x zoom which is perfect and could let you zoom right in.

At it's widest 24mm, it provides an aperture of f3.3 and that's quite sluggish and not ideal in low light conditions and you might struggle to capture a shallow depth of field. You will likely also need to up your ISO giving you noisy photos. With the long end, 384mm is terrific zoom and comes to f5.9 making it very sluggish and you may have to use slower shutter speeds.

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Sony H90 Connectivity

The H90 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes

Digital cameras that come with NFC and Bluetooth connectivity can be controlled wirelessly via smartphones. You will be able to copy files and sometimes change camera settings without the hassle of connecting directly with the camera.

Many apps also enable a Liveview and hit the shutter when you are not close to the camera. If the camera provides a HDMI out, it can be attached to an external screen. A good number of cameras will allow you to charge the battery pack using the USB port.

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Sony H90 Video information

The max video quality on the Sony H90 is 1280 x 720 and it can save in MPEG-4 file format. 720p is terrible by today's requirements. You should strive for a minimum FUll HD quality for good video. The body does not have a mic and headphone jack so you have got zero control over your sound. It is probably a better idea to look into a different camera in case you require decent sound in your videos.

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Sony H90 Weather Sealing

There is no environment proofing for the Sony H90 so you have to be careful in rainy and dusty conditions.

Sony H90 Screen and Viewfinder

The Sony H90 comes with a 3 inch fixed screen with a resolution of 461 thousand dots.

Sadly the screen isn't a touch screen.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90 screen and viewfinder Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The ViewFinder specifications regarding Sony H90 are below:

  • ViewFinder None

In those bright outdoor conditions that make the camera displays washed out and difficult to view, viewfinders can be very helpful.

Sony H90 Shutter information

Sony H90 continuous shooting speed is 1.0 frames/s. The highest shutter speed is 1/1600s.

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Sony H90 Flash and Hot shoe information

Sony H90 has got just in-built flash lacking external flash support.

Sony H90 Autofocusing information

Sony H90 has got only Contrast Based Auto Focus and doesn't have Phase Detect Auto Focus. Phase Detection autofocusing is a lot more faster & accurate than Contrast Based autofocusing. The camera comes with Face detection which can be handy for taking portraits of people.

It also includes Tracking Auto Focus for moving objects. Sony H90 has no manual focusing. Manual focusing mode can be good during low light scenarios or you require more precise control on focusing.

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Sony H90 Battery life

The battery pack (NP-BG1) for the Sony H90 is fashioned to last for 290 shutters based on the CIPA specifications making it about average when compared to its competition. The usual Small Sensor Superzoom camera battery life is 316. Fujifilm HS35EXR features the maximum (600) battery life within this group of cameras.

Below is a collection of Small Sensor Superzoom cameras that have the strongest battery life:

ModelVisualizeBattery LifeRAWNFCBluetooth
Photography Glossary

Sony H90 for varying categories of photography

The following bar chart provides a summary of the Sony H90 for varying categories of photography. To see more, go to the specific paragraph below.

Portrait photography with Sony H90

The Sony H90 receives a points total of 36 which is lousy, and means the camera is not really acceptable for portrait photography. Photographing portrait photos leans greatly towards sensor size, support for RAW photos plus the option to work with external lighting.

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megapixel count good (16MP)
includes face detection autofocus
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files

Sony H90 Street photography information

Having a nice points total of 61, the Sony H90 is a fine pick for street photography. A decent street photography camera features a perfect balance of image quality and portability.

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has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (222 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support

Sports photography with Sony H90

A lousy sports photography score of 44 indicates the Sony H90 is not really acceptable for shooting sports. A camera needs very good tracking plus fast shutter speeds for sports photography.

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amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
supports tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus

Sony H90 Travel photography features

Weight is super crucial when choosing a travel camera. Over-all, the Sony H90 gets a nice 69 as a travelling camera which is a fine option for your vacations.

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lighter than competition (222 grams)
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great zoom (384mm)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)

Sony H90 Landscape photography highlights

For anybody who is planning to pick a camera for landscape photos, the most significant aspect is going to be image quality. The Sony H90 at it's lousy rating of 44 as a landscape camera is not really acceptable in the current market.

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quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Timelapse function

Sony H90 Vlogging factors

A camera for vlogging ought to posses a articulating screen, mic input and preferably IBIS. Taking everything in to account, the Sony H90 is not really acceptable as a vlog camera as it delivers a lousy score of 32.

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fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
lighter than competitors in class (222g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic support

Sony H90 Alternatives

If you want replacements to the H90, below is a selection of the top ranked cameras that fall within the class of Small Sensor Superzoom.

The chart followed below provides you a bird's eye view of the H90 compared to it's highest scoring competitors listed earlier.

Following are several cameras you may have a look at as alternate options. To read a thorough comparison, visit the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Brand Name
Sony
Model type
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90
Type
Small Sensor Superzoom
Released
2012-02-28
Body design
Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CCD
Powered by
BIONZ
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions
6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area
28.1mm²
Sensor resolution
16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio
4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution
4608 x 3456
RAW photos
Max native ISO
3200
Minimum native ISO
80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross type focus points
0
Lens
Lens mount type
fixed lens
Lens zoom range
24-384mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture
f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range
5cm
Crop factor
5.8
Screen
Range of screen
Fixed Type
Screen sizing
3 inch
Screen resolution
461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology
ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type
None
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating
not tested
DXO Color Depth rating
not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating
not tested
DXO Low light rating
not tested
Features
Min shutter speed
30 seconds
Max shutter speed
1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed
1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation
Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance
3.70 m
Flash settings
Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions
1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution
1280x720
Video format
MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
222 grams (0.49 lbs)
Dimensions
105 x 60 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
Other
Battery life
290 pictures
Battery format
Battery Pack
Battery ID
NP-BG1
Self timer
Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage media
SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots
1
Launch price
$230