Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax S1
86 Imaging
39 Features
45 Overall
41


93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34
Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax S1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 291g - 111 x 73 x 44mm
- Announced June 2013
- Replaced the Canon SX150 IS
- Successor is Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
- Released March 2011

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax S1 Overview
Lets look a little more in depth at the Canon SX160 IS versus Pentax S1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the S1 (14MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SX160 IS was unveiled 2 years after the S1 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the SX160 IS scores against the S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax S1 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX160 IS and Pentax Optio S1. The full galleries are available at Canon SX160 IS Gallery and Pentax S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Pentax S1
SX160 IS | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | June 2013 | ![]() | March 2011 | Newer by 29 months |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Canon SX160 IS
S1 | SX160 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Pentax S1
SX160 IS | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither includes Touch display |
Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to travel with your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX160 IS features exterior dimensions of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") and a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) whilst the Pentax S1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).
Check the Canon SX160 IS versus Pentax S1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the SX160 IS versus the S1.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX160 IS and S1 is 86 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is very difficult to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions purely by going through specifications. The image below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX160 IS and S1.
Plainly, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Canon SX160 IS to produce greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more modern SX160 IS should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax S1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Pentax Optio S1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Pentax Optio S1 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2013-06-21 | 2011-03-02 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | 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 | 16MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4288 x 3216 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 2.7" |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/1500 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 3.90 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/2000 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
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 | 291 grams (0.64 lbs) | 157 grams (0.35 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | 380 pictures | 260 pictures |
Form of battery | AA | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 2 x AA | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $199 | $174 |