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Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax S1

Portability
86
Imaging
39
Features
45
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax S1 Key Specs

Canon SX160 IS
(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
Pentax S1
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Pentax S1

 SX160 IS S1 
ReleasedJune 2013March 2011Newer by 29 months
Display size3"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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax S1 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography info
Pentax S1 Portrait photography info
46
manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
decent MP (16MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
35
you can focus manually
good resolution (14MP)
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Street photography advice
Pentax S1 Street photography advice
59
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (291g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX160 IS
Sports photography with Pentax S1
50
incredible zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
better than average battery (380 shots)
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
39
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography highlights
Pentax S1 Travel photography highlights
68
better than average battery (380 CIPA)
lighter than competitors (291 grams)
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
great zoom (448mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
64
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX160 IS
Landscape photography with Pentax S1
51
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
better than average battery (380 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
42
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Vlogging info
Pentax S1 Vlogging info
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors (291g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic socket
28
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic support
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Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Pentax S1
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISPentax 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