Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax W90
86 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


94 Imaging
35 Features
21 Overall
29
Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax W90 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 291g - 111 x 73 x 44mm
- Revealed June 2013
- Older Model is Canon SX150 IS
- Successor is Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
- Released February 2010

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax W90 Overview
Below, we will be looking at the Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax W90, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Canon and Pentax. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX160 IS (16MP) and W90 (12MP) but they come with the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

The SX160 IS was unveiled 3 years later than the W90 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting through a full comparison, below is a short summation of how the SX160 IS matches up against the W90 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax W90 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX160 IS and Pentax Optio W90. The full galleries are available at Canon SX160 IS Gallery and Pentax W90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Pentax W90
SX160 IS | W90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | June 2013 | ![]() | February 2010 | More recent by 41 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Canon SX160 IS
W90 | SX160 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Pentax W90
SX160 IS | W90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Canon SX160 IS comes with physical dimensions of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") along with a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) while the Pentax W90 has sizing of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).
Compare the Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax W90 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX160 IS against the W90.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX160 IS and W90 is 86 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's tough to picture the gap between sensor measurements purely by checking technical specs. The visual below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SX160 IS and W90.
As you can tell, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Canon SX160 IS to give extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The newer SX160 IS should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax W90 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Pentax Optio W90 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Pentax Optio W90 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Waterproof |
Revealed | 2013-06-21 | 2010-02-24 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 4 | Prime |
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 area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/1500 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 3.90 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/2000 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
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) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 291 gr (0.64 pounds) | 164 gr (0.36 pounds) |
Dimensions | 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") | 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 life | 380 photos | - |
Battery format | AA | - |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | D-LI68 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $199 | $120 |