Image Quality

All of the sample images in this Review were taken using the 12 megapixel JPEG setting, which gives an average image size of around 3.5Mb.

We were shooting with the Pentax after a typically British mixture of sunshine and rain that had given rise to some particularly verdant natural hues. This, coupled with the X90's willingness to boost colour saturation anyway (common across its range) gave rise to striking colours that if we hadn't witnessed them in nature ourselves would have appeared quite unrealistic. Exposures are even however and metering is generally spot on, so require little adjustment post capture, which again suggests the camera is suitable for an amateur/family audience.

As our white wall test shots indicate, there is some barrel distortion at maximum 26mm equivalent wideangle setting on the X90, but this is kept fairly minimal and so unobtrusive. And, though shots taken handheld with the lens set at maximum telephoto occasionally lack critical sharpness, this is only to be expected given the much better than average reach. Pixel fringing is kept well under control - much better than on consumer-level DSLRs in fact. We also had very occasional white balance issues where there was a dominance of one particular colour in the frame - but this is easily adjusted.

In terms of light sensitivity, up to ISO 800 the X90's performance is pretty good, though detail is beginning to soften at ISO 800. At ISO 1600 images really are quite noisy, though as processing kicks in more conclusively at ISO 3200 this lessens; unfortunately at the expense of critical detail. At ISO 6400 pictures look distinctly painterly. Not a great showing in low light then; the best we can say is that's it's an adequate one.

Noise

There are 8 ISO settings available on the Pentax Optio X90. Here are some 100% crops which show the noise levels for each ISO setting.

ISO 80 (100% Crop)	ISO 100 (100% Crop)
ISO 200 (100% Crop)	ISO 400 (100% Crop)
ISO 800 (100% Crop)	ISO 1600 (100% Crop)
ISO 3200 (100% Crop)	ISO 6400 (100% Crop)

Sharpening

Here are two 100% crops which have been Saved as Web - Quality 50 in Photoshop. The right-hand image has had some sharpening applied in Photoshop. The out-of-the camera images are just a little soft at the default sharpening setting. You can change the in-camera sharpening level if you don't like the default look.

Original (100% Crop)	Sharpened (100% Crop)

Chromatic Aberrations

The Pentax Optio X90 handled chromatic aberrations excellently during the review, with very limited purple fringing present around the edges of objects in high-contrast situations, as shown in the example below.

Example 1 (100% Crop)

Macro

The Pentax Optio X90 allows you to focus on a subject that is just 1cm away from the camera. The first image shows how close you can get to the subject (in this case a compact flash card). The second image is a 100% crop.

Macro	100% Crop

Flash

The flash settings on the Pentax Optio X90 are Flash-on, Flash-off, Red-eye reduction, Low-speed synchro, and Low-speed synchro + Red-eye. These shots of a white coloured wall were taken at a distance of 1.5m.

Flash Off - Wide Angle (26mm)	Flash On - Wide Angle (26mm)
Flash Off - Telephoto (676mm)	Flash On - Telephoto (676mm)

And here are some portrait shots. As you can see, neither the Flash On or the Red-eye-Reduction settings caused any red-eye.

Flash On	Flash On (100% Crop)
Red-eye Reduction	Red-eye Reduction (100% Crop)

Night

The Pentax Optio X90's maximum shutter speed is 4 seconds, which is not very good news if you're seriously interested in night photography. The shot below was taken using a shutter speed of 1.6 seconds at ISO 800.

Night	Night (100% Crop)

Sample Images

This is a selection of sample images from the Pentax Optio X90 camera, which were all taken using the 12 megapixel JPEG setting. The thumbnails below link to the full-sized versions, which have not been altered in any way.

Sample Movie & Video

As of February 2025, we are no longer providing full size sample images or videos for download.

Please contact us if you have any feedback on our new policy.

Product Images

Front of the Camera

Front of the Camera / Lens Extended

Front of the Camera / Flash Raised

Isometric View

Isometric View

Rear of the Camera

Rear of the Camera / Image Displayed

Top of the Camera

Bottom of the Camera

Side of the Camera

Side of the Camera

Memory Card Slot

Battery Compartment

Conclusion

The target audience for the Pentax X90 is surely the existing compact camera user looking to upgrade, as well as the family user. But then the same audience will also be ideally suited to an entry level DSLR or a lower-priced Micro Four Thirds type interchangeable lens camera for that matter. So what's the difference here?

Basically the X90 can be viewed as a 'DSLR Lite' for those aspiring photographers who would like more control over their images than a regular compact will allow - and obviously a whopping zoom range - without that steeply pronounced learning curve. It's arguably even easier to use than a compact system or 'hybrid' camera. And don't forget that while £329.99 seems quite high an asking price for a specification set that isn't quite at the level of a DSLR, it's the attached big zoom capability, giving amateurs the equivalent reach of a paparazzi, that you're paying this sort of premium for.

The lack of optical zoom control in movie mode is a real disappointment however, given that the former is the X90's major USP. Still everything on the camera falls readily to hand, making for both swifter and easier use than flashier alternatives. Ultimately that means that the Pentax X90 gets a Photography Blog Recommended badge, but with the above caveats.

Ratings (out of 5)
Design	4
Features	4
Ease-of-use	4
Image quality	4
Value for money	3.5

Specifications

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