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Pentax X90 $399.95
By Kaitlyn Chantry November 12, 2010
Pentax X90
Review Highlights

Excellent sharpness

Low distortion and chromatic aberration

Proprietary USB port

Uncomfortable grip

Score Breakdown
4.8
6.7
8.3

Introduction

The Pentax X90 is a solid ultrazoom camera, with strong performance and a healthy range of manual control options. The menu and controls are easy to navigate, so even a beginner would have no trouble figuring out how to perform a custom white balance or swap between Aperture Priority and full auto mode. There are a couple of strange button design choices, however, and the narrow grip left much to be desired. This makes the Pentax a definite try-before-you-buy camera.

This review is organized into 16 pages
Page 1
Product Tour

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Page 2
Color

Good color performance, plus the ability to make minor tweaks to saturation.

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Page 3
Noise

Average noise levels; only reduced resolutions available at ISO 3200 and above.

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Page 4
Resolution

Sharpness is excellent, with little evidence of distortion or chromatic aberration.

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Page 5
Video

Video maxes out at 720/30p and has average controls and color performance, but terrible sharpness.

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Page 6
Sample Photos

A gallery of photos taken with the Pentax X90

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Page 7
Playback

Playback options are generally unremarkable, but the wide range of in-camera editing tools can be useful.

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Page 8
Hardware

26x optical zoom and viewfinder are excellent features; proprietary USB is not.

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Page 9
Controls

A good range of manual controls, including full manual aperture and shutter speed.

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Page 10
Design & Handling

A traditional grip isn’t comfortable, but the menus are easy to navigate.

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Page 11
Nikon P100 Comparison
Nikon  Coolpix P100

We compare the X90 to the P100.

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Page 12
Panasonic DMC-FZ35 Comparison
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

We compare the X90 to the DMC-FZ35.

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Page 13
Fujifilm HS10 Comparison
Fujifilm  FinePix HS10

We compare the X90 to the HS10.

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Page 14
Conclusion

Read our final conclusion of the Pentax X90.

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Page 15
Photo Gallery

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Part 16
Comments

Read what people are saying about the Pentax X90.

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Pentax X90
Digital Camera Review

This review is organized into 16 pages

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