Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax XG-1
64 Imaging
33 Features
53 Overall
41


66 Imaging
40 Features
37 Overall
38
Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.8" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
- 615g - 128 x 88 x 88mm
- Released March 2009
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
- 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
- Launched July 2014

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Overview
On this page, we will be contrasting the Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax XG-1, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the SX1 IS (10MP) and XG-1 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX1 IS was brought out 6 years earlier than the XG-1 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).
Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SX1 IS matches up versus the XG-1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX1 IS and Pentax XG-1. The entire galleries are provided at Canon SX1 IS Gallery and Pentax XG-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Pentax XG-1
SX1 IS | XG-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Canon SX1 IS
XG-1 | SX1 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2014 | ![]() | March 2009 | More modern by 64 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.8" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Pentax XG-1
SX1 IS | XG-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Absent Touch screen |
Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to carry around your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Canon SX1 IS has external measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") having a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) and the Pentax XG-1 has sizing of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") along with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax XG-1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at the time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the SX1 IS vs the XG-1.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SX1 IS and XG-1 is 64 and 66 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizes merely by reading through technical specs. The pic below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX1 IS and XG-1.
As you have seen, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should expect the Pentax XG-1 to give you more detail having its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged SX1 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS | Pentax XG-1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX1 IS | Pentax XG-1 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2009-03-27 | 2014-07-15 |
Physical type | 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 | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-560mm (20.0x) | 24-1248mm (52.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/2.8-5.7 | f/2.8-5.6 |
Macro focus distance | 0cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.8 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 200 thousand dots |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames/s | 9.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 5.20 m | 6.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/500 secs | - |
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), 640 x 480 (120 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 615 gr (1.36 pounds) | 567 gr (1.25 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") | 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 240 pictures |
Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | LB-060 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/MMC card | SD/SDHC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $600 | $599 |