Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X70
64 Imaging
33 Features
53 Overall
41


71 Imaging
34 Features
34 Overall
34
Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X70 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)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 50 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
- 410g - 110 x 83 x 90mm
- Announced March 2009

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X70 Overview
Lets look more closely at the Canon SX1 IS versus Pentax X70, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the SX1 IS (10MP) and the X70 (12MP) is pretty similar and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SX1 IS was unveiled within a month of the X70 so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).
Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the SX1 IS matches up against the X70 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X70 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX1 IS & Pentax X70. The full galleries are provided at Canon SX1 IS Gallery & Pentax X70 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Pentax X70
SX1 IS | X70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen dimensions | 2.8" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.1") |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Canon SX1 IS
X70 | SX1 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Pentax X70
SX1 IS | X70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | March 2009 | ![]() | March 2009 | Similar age |
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same screen resolution |
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch screen |
Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X70 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX1 IS provides external dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") having a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) whilst the Pentax X70 has dimensions of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") with a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon SX1 IS versus Pentax X70 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SX1 IS versus the X70.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SX1 IS and X70 is 64 and 71 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X70 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor measurements just by going over technical specs. The visual underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX1 IS and X70.
As you have seen, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Pentax X70 to deliver more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots more aggressively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X70 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax X70 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS | Pentax X70 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX1 IS | Pentax X70 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2009-03-27 | 2009-03-02 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 50 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-560mm (20.0x) | 26-624mm (24.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/2.8-5.7 | f/2.8-5.0 |
Macro focusing distance | 0cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.8" | 2.7" |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/3200s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 4.0fps | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.20 m | 9.10 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | - |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/500s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 615 gr (1.36 lbs) | 410 gr (0.90 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") | 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 ID | - | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/MMC card | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $600 | $200 |