Pentax X90 vs Canon SX220 HS

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Pentax X90 and the Canon SX220 HS, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Pentax X90 was introduced in July 2010 and Canon SX220 HS was introduced in February 2011. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax X90 over Canon SX220 HS.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon SX220 HS over Pentax X90.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Pentax X90 has a 2.70" screen with 230k dot resolution and Canon SX220 HS has a 3.0" screen with 461k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.

Electronic Viewfinder on Pentax X90

Pentax X90 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Canon SX220 HS.

Pentax X90 features a 12.1 megapixel 1/2.33-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.08 x 4.56 mm and a total area of 27.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 80 - 6,400. Canon SX220 HS features a 12 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200.

Canon SX220 HS has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

Pentax X90 is equipped with Prime processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4000 x 2672, 4000 x 2256, 3072 x 2304, 2992, 2592 x 1944, 2048 x 1536, 1024 x 768 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Canon SX220 HS is equipped with DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4000 x 3000, 4000 x 2248, 4000 x 2664, 2992 x 2992, 2816 x 2112, 2816 x 1880, 2816 x 1584, 2112 x 2112, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1200, 1600 x 1064, 1200 x 1200, 640 x 480, 640 x 424, 640 x 360, 480 x 480 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in [y] image stabilization.

Bluetooth on Pentax X90

Pentax X90 has a built-in Bluetooth which lets you to connect the camera to a smartphone or a dedicated remote control device. This allows you to remotely trigger the camera, adjust settings and controls remotely through a paired mobile app. While Wi-Fi is generally faster for transferring larger files, Bluetooth can be used for small, selective transfers, it can provide real-time information about your camera's battery status, memory card capacity, and other key settings directly on your paired smartphone or smartwatch.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in Bluetooth.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Pentax X90 has an HDMI and Canon SX220 HS has a Mini HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Pentax X90 comes with D-L106 battery pack and Canon SX220 HS comes with NB-5L battery pack with battery life of 210 shots.

External Storage Slots

Pentax X90 has a single SD/SDHC card slot. Canon SX220 HS has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/ MMCplus/HC MMCplus card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Pentax X90, and up to 1/3200 sec on Canon SX220 HS. Canon SX220 HS can shoot continuously up to 3.2 fps.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 9.10 m on Pentax X90 and 3.50 m on Canon SX220 HS. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/2000 sec on Canon SX220 HS.

Pentax X90 body has dimensions of 111 x 85 x 110 mm (4.37 x 3.35 x 4.33") and Canon SX220 HS body has dimensions of 106 x 59 x 33 mm (4.17 x 2.32 x 1.3"). Pentax X90 weighs 428 g (0.94 lb / 15.10 oz) and Canon SX220 HS weighs [].

Pentax X90

Canon SX220 HS

111 mm

85 mm

106 mm

59 mm

85 mm

59 mm