• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 676.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX20 IS advantages over Pentax X90

  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 600 vs 255 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax X90 advantages over Canon SX20 IS

  • More telephoto lens reach
    676 mm vs 560 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Lighter weight
    438g vs 676g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon SX10 IS

Canon SX20 IS
Canon SX10 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX10 IS

Pentax X90
Canon SX10 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax X90 vs Canon SX10 IS

Compared to Canon SX1 IS

Canon SX20 IS
Canon SX1 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX1 IS

Pentax X90
Canon SX1 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • RAW file ability

Compare Pentax X90 vs Canon SX1 IS

Compared to Pentax X70

Canon SX20 IS
Pentax X70
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Pentax X70

Pentax X90
Pentax X70
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Pentax X90 vs Pentax X70

Compared to Nikon P100

Canon SX20 IS
Nikon P100
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Hot shoe
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Nikon P100

Pentax X90
Nikon P100
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Manual focus

Compare Pentax X90 vs Nikon P100

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Canon SX20 IS
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Pentax X90
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster shutter
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • RAW file ability

Compare Pentax X90 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Compare Other Cameras?