Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X-5
64 Imaging
33 Features
53 Overall
41


65 Imaging
39 Features
50 Overall
43
Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.8" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
- 615g - 128 x 88 x 88mm
- Launched March 2009
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
- Revealed August 2012

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X-5 Overview
Here, we will be comparing the Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X-5, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Pentax. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX1 IS (10MP) and X-5 (16MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX1 IS was launched 4 years prior to the X-5 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).
Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief view of how the SX1 IS matches up vs the X-5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X-5 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX1 IS & Pentax X-5. The complete galleries are available at Canon SX1 IS Gallery & Pentax X-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Pentax X-5
SX1 IS | X-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Canon SX1 IS
X-5 | SX1 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2012 | ![]() | March 2009 | Fresher by 41 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.8" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Pentax X-5
SX1 IS | X-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to carry your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX1 IS provides outer measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") along with a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) and the Pentax X-5 has measurements of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") and a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X-5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the SX1 IS versus the X-5.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX1 IS and X-5 is 64 and 65 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, its hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizing just by reading through specifications. The photograph below may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX1 IS and X-5.
To sum up, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Pentax X-5 to give greater detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older SX1 IS is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X-5 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS | Pentax X-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX1 IS | Pentax X-5 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2009-03-27 | 2012-08-22 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-560mm (20.0x) | 22-580mm (26.4x) |
Highest aperture | f/2.8-5.7 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 0cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
Display size | 2.8 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 230k dot |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/1500 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.20 m | 9.10 m |
Flash options | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | - |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/500 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 615g (1.36 pounds) | 595g (1.31 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") | 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 330 photos |
Battery format | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/MMC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $600 | $230 |