• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 448.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax W90 advantages over Canon SX170

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    25 mm vs 43 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    161g vs 251g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX170 advantages over Pentax W90

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $330 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    448 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 205 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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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Buy the Pentax W90

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax I-10

Pentax W90
Pentax I-10
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Pentax W90 vs Pentax I-10

Canon SX170
Pentax I-10
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compare Canon SX170 vs Pentax I-10

Compared to Pentax WG-1

Pentax W90
Pentax WG-1
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $260
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-1

Canon SX170
Pentax WG-1
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $260
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Thinner

Compare Canon SX170 vs Pentax WG-1

Compared to Pentax WG-1 GPS

Pentax W90
Pentax WG-1 GPS
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax W90 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

Canon SX170
Pentax WG-1 GPS
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Canon SX170 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

Compared to Canon SX160

Pentax W90
Canon SX160
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $146
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax W90 vs Canon SX160

Canon SX170
Canon SX160
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $146
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out

Compare Canon SX170 vs Canon SX160

Compared to Nikon L620

Pentax W90
Nikon L620
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $127
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax W90 vs Nikon L620

Canon SX170
Nikon L620
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $127
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX170 vs Nikon L620

Compare Other Cameras?