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Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
86
Imaging
39
Features
45
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Canon SX160 IS
(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
  • Announced June 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX150 IS
  • Renewed by Canon SX170 IS
Pentax WG-1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released February 2011
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Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Canon SX160 IS versus Pentax WG-1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by brands Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is pretty comparable and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX160 IS was introduced 2 years later than the WG-1 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the SX160 IS grades versus the WG-1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Pentax WG-1

 SX160 IS WG-1 
ReleasedJune 2013February 2011Fresher by 29 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Canon SX160 IS

 WG-1 SX160 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Pentax WG-1

 SX160 IS WG-1 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SX160 IS offers outside measurements 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 WG-1 has sizing of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX160 IS versus Pentax WG-1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the SX160 IS vs the WG-1.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX160 IS and WG-1 is 86 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizing simply by going through specs. The photograph here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX160 IS and WG-1.

As you can plainly see, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Canon SX160 IS to provide greater detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more recent SX160 IS should have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Portrait photography camera
46
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
resolution is good (16MP)
comes with face detection focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
35
manual focus
MP count decent (14MP)
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Street photography camera
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (291 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
54
weather sealing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Sports photography camera
50
incredible zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
great battery power (380 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
37
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
max fps low (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography advice
Pentax WG-1 Travel photography advice
68
great battery power (380 CIPA)
lighter than competitors (291g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
long reach (448mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
71
weather sealing
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography advice
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography advice
51
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
great battery power (380 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
42
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
weather sealing
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Vlogging info
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging info
31
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
lighter than competitors (291 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone socket
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Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Pentax WG-1
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISPentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Pentax Optio WG-1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Announced 2013-06-21 2011-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type 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
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 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
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 291 gr (0.64 lbs) 157 gr (0.35 lbs)
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
Battery type 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 feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $199 $350