• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 185.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

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Differences

Canon SD890 IS advantages over Pentax K-x

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $650 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    27 mm vs 69 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/500 vs 1/180 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 25 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-x advantages over Canon SD890 IS

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.53 vs 1.69 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 420 vs 320 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.73 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    12.4 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.3 fps vs 1.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-W170

Canon SD890 IS
Sony DSC-W170
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon SD890 IS vs Sony DSC-W170

Pentax K-x
Sony DSC-W170
  • $702
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Pentax K-x vs Sony DSC-W170

Compared to Panasonic DMC-TS1

Canon SD890 IS
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Canon SD890 IS vs Panasonic DMC-TS1

Pentax K-x
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $702
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Pentax K-x vs Panasonic DMC-TS1

Compared to Canon SD970 IS

Canon SD890 IS
Canon SD970 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen

Compare Canon SD890 IS vs Canon SD970 IS

Pentax K-x
Canon SD970 IS
  • $702
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Pentax K-x vs Canon SD970 IS

Compared to Pentax K-7

Canon SD890 IS
Pentax K-7
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SD890 IS vs Pentax K-7

Pentax K-x
Pentax K-7
  • $702
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Pentax K-r

Canon SD890 IS
Pentax K-r
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SD890 IS vs Pentax K-r

Pentax K-x
Pentax K-r
  • $702
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • External Mic Jack

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-r

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