• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 676.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax X90 advantages over Canon SX540 HS

  • 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 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 255 vs 205 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX540 HS advantages over Pentax X90

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,200 mm vs 676 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    9 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.9 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • 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 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
  • 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

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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 SX540 HS
Nikon P90
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX540 HS 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 SX540 HS
Pentax X70
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX540 HS 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 SX540 HS
Nikon P100
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Nikon P100

Compared to Canon SX520 HS

Pentax X90
Canon SX520 HS
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus

Compare Pentax X90 vs Canon SX520 HS

Canon SX540 HS
Canon SX520 HS
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX520 HS

Compared to Canon SX530 HS

Pentax X90
Canon SX530 HS
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Pentax X90 vs Canon SX530 HS

Canon SX540 HS
Canon SX530 HS
  • $364
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $259
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon SX540 HS vs Canon SX530 HS

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