Clicky

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
64
Imaging
33
Features
53
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Key Specs

Canon SX1 IS
(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
Pentax XG-1
(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
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

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").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

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.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Pentax XG-1

 SX1 IS XG-1 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Canon SX1 IS

 XG-1 SX1 IS 
LaunchedJuly 2014March 2009More modern by 64 months
Screen dimensions3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Portrait photography information
Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography information
46
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/500s)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
40
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX1 IS
Street photography with Pentax XG-1
56
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors (615g)
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competition (567 grams)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Sports photography highlights
Pentax XG-1 Sports photography highlights
33
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
45
excellent zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (240 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Travel photography highlights
Pentax XG-1 Travel photography highlights
52
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
decently wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors (615 grams)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
52
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (1248mm)
missing Timelapse function
bad battery life (240 CIPA)
more heavy than competition (567g)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
44
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (2.8 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse function
45
focusing manually
really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery life (240 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX1 IS
Vlogging with Pentax XG-1
57
decently wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have external mic support
heavier than competitors (615 grams)
25
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
missing microphone socket
more heavy than competition (567 grams)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Canon SX1 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX1 IS and Pentax XG-1
 Canon PowerShot SX1 ISPentax 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