• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 36.00mm - 432.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 676.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon S5 IS advantages over Pentax X90

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.76 vs 1.53 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~1.30 vs 2.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 450 vs 255 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    77 mm vs 109 mm
    Thinner
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.40 vs 0.65 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • 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
    1.5 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax X90 advantages over Canon S5 IS

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    1/2.33 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • More telephoto lens reach
    676 mm vs 432 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    438g vs 574g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 8.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    26 mm vs 36 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SP-590UZ

Canon S5 IS
Olympus SP-590UZ
  • $500
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Hot shoe
  • $450
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • More telephoto lens reach
Pentax X90
Olympus SP-590UZ
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Faster shutter
  • $450
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Nikon P90

Canon S5 IS
Nikon P90
  • $500
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Pentax X90
Nikon P90
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Pentax X70

Canon S5 IS
Pentax X70
  • $500
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
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

Compared to Nikon P100

Canon S5 IS
Nikon P100
  • $500
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Pentax X90
Nikon P100
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Manual focus

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Canon S5 IS
Panasonic DMC-FZ40
  • $500
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Pentax X90
Panasonic DMC-FZ40
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Faster shutter
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Longer stills battery life
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