• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 676.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax X90 advantages over Canon 170 IS

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.53 vs 1.20 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.6
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • More telephoto lens reach
    676 mm vs 300 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 255 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.1 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 170 IS advantages over Pentax X90

  • Less expensive
    $150 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 109 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    10 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    141g vs 438g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

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

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
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax X90

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 170 IS
Canon 170 (Blue)
  • Canon 170 (Blue)
  • Canon 170 (Black)
  • Canon 170 (Silver)
All 170 IS Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P90

Pentax X90
Nikon P90
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer exposure

Compare Pentax X90 vs Nikon P90

Canon 170 IS
Nikon P90
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Nikon P90

Compared to 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

Canon 170 IS
Pentax X70
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Pentax X70

Compared to 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

Canon 170 IS
Nikon P100
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Nikon P100

Compared to Canon 350 HS

Pentax X90
Canon 350 HS
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $209
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax X90 vs Canon 350 HS

Canon 170 IS
Canon 350 HS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $209
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Canon 350 HS

Compared to Canon 360 HS

Pentax X90
Canon 360 HS
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $284
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Pentax X90 vs Canon 360 HS

Canon 170 IS
Canon 360 HS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $284
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Canon 360 HS

Compare Other Cameras?