Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax WG-1
86 Imaging
39 Features
45 Overall
41


93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34
Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax WG-1 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
- Announced June 2013
- Replaced the Canon SX150 IS
- Renewed by Canon SX170 IS
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX160 IS & Pentax Optio WG-1. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon SX160 IS Gallery & Pentax WG-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Pentax WG-1
SX160 IS | WG-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | June 2013 | ![]() | February 2011 | Fresher by 29 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Pentax 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 |