• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 676.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Pentax X90 advantages over Olympus E-PL7

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Olympus E-PL7 advantages over Pentax X90

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.53 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 2.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 255 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 109 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    10 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.65 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.7 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    24 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-PL7

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality for its class including very good ISO performance; Improved performance and ergonomics over the E-PL5; LCD tilts 180 degree downward for easier selfies; Upgraded 3-axis IS system.

  • No built-in flash (but a small add-on flash is included); No built-in EVF; Default colors somewhat muted; Somewhat quirky menu system.

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
Olympus E-PL7
Nikon P90
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

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
Olympus E-PL7
Pentax X70
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

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
Olympus E-PL7
Nikon P100
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Olympus E-PL5

Pentax X90
Olympus E-PL5
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Olympus E-PL7
Olympus E-PL5
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $329
  • 4/3

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Pentax X90
Panasonic GF6
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Olympus E-PL7
Panasonic GF6
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC
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