• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 676.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Pentax X90
  • Canon PowerShot SX500 IS
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Pentax X70
X70 vs X90
 
Successor:   Canon SX510 HS
SX500 vs SX510 HS
General
Model Number: X90 SX500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: EVF Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $399.95 $329.99
Street Price:   $475.00
Date Available: 2010-04-30 2012-09-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 15.4 oz (438 g)
includes batteries
12.0 oz (341 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.4 x 3.3 x 4.3 in.
(112 x 84 x 109 mm)
4.1 x 2.7 x 3.2 in.
(104 x 70 x 80 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CCD
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 16.0
Sensor Format: 1/2.33 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 28.198mm2 (6.13mm x 4.6mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.53 microns 1.34 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:    
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):    
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):    
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):    
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2672 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 2256 (9.0 MP, Other),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
3072 x 2304 (7.1 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 3456 (11.9 MP, 1:1),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 1832 (6.0 MP, 16:9),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
2448 x 2448 (6.0 MP, 1:1),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 1.2 0.8
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (30/​15)
640x480 (30/​15)
320x240 (30/​15)
1280x720 (25p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) MOV (Image data: H.264, Audio data: Linear PCM (stereo))
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Pentax; 14 elements in 11 groups with 4 asph. and 3 ED elements Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 26 - 676mm 24 - 720mm
Focal Length (actual): 4.6 - 119.6mm 4.3 - 129mm
Zoom Ratio: 26.00x 30.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (Wide) - f/5.0 (Tele) f/3.4 (W) / f/5.8 (T) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 40 cm to Infinity
15.7 in to Infinity
0 cm to Infinity
0.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 1 - 30 cm
0.4 - 11.8 in
0 - 50 cm
0.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 6.25x; Intelligent Zoom up to 162.5x at VGA Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast detect with Face-priority AF; 9-area Auto, 99-area manual select, center Contrast Detection; Face Detect AiAF, Single AF point (center or face select and track)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF; 200K dots with diopter control  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution:   n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.7 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 461,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto (80-1600), Digital SR (80-6400*), Manual (80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200*, 6400*) (*3200 and 6400 at 5MP) Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600; (Higher in 4MP Low Light scene mode)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent (W, D, N), Manual Auto (including Face Detection WB), Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 4 sec 1/1600 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot, Spot AF area Evaluative (linked to Face Detection AF frame), Centre-weighted average, Spot (Center)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Sport, Digital SR, Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Backlight, Half Length Portrait (3M), Night Scene, Night Scene Portrait, Stage Lighting (2M), Surf & Snow, Baby, Kids, Pet, Food, Fireworks, Frame Composite (3M), Party, Museum, Sunset, Digital Wide (5M), Digital Panorama (2M per frame) SCN (Portrait, FaceSelf-Timer, Low Light (4.0MP), Snow, Fireworks), Creative Filters (Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect), Discreet, My Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, Custom Color)
Self Timer: 10 or 2 seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Flash Off, Flash On, Auto + Redeye, On + Redeye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync + Redeye Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Slow Synchro; Red-Eye Reduction available
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: 30 ft (wide, auto ISO), 17 ft (tele, auto ISO) 1.6 ft. - 16 ft. (W), 4.6 - 9.8 ft. (T) (50cm - 5.0m (W), (1.4 - 3.0m (T))
Max Flash Sync:   1/1600
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No No
Uncompressed Format:    
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) MOV (Image data: H.264, Audio data: Linear PCM (stereo))
Included Memory: 31.2 MB No memory included
Included Memory Type: Internal  
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): HDMI Out (type D) Mini (Type-C) HDMI
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 3.25  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 1.2 0.8
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 9 Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.65 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.62 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.009 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 2.9 seconds  
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power: 6.5 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 255 shots 195 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary D-LI106 Proprietary NB-6L
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary D-LI106 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-6L Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Software CD-ROM S-SW87 Canon software suite (ImageBrowser EX, PhotoStitch)
OS Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista/7; Mac OS X 10.3.9+ Windows 7 SP1 / Vista SP2 / XP SP3, Mac OS X v10.6 - 10.7
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Sensor-shift Shake Reduction, 720p HD Movies, HDMI Output, Continuous Mode up to 11 fps at 5MP. Optical Image Stabilization, DIGIC 4 Processor, Zoom Framing Assist, 720p HD Movies.