Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X70
86 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


71 Imaging
34 Features
34 Overall
34
Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X70 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
- Succeeded the Canon SX150 IS
- Replacement is Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 50 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
- 410g - 110 x 83 x 90mm
- Launched March 2009

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X70 Overview
Let's look more in depth at the Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X70, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the SX160 IS (16MP) and X70 (12MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX160 IS was launched 4 years later than the X70 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX160 IS being a Compact camera and the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SX160 IS grades against the X70 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X70 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX160 IS and Pentax X70. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon SX160 IS Gallery and Pentax X70 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Pentax X70
SX160 IS | X70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | June 2013 | ![]() | March 2009 | More recent by 53 months |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Canon SX160 IS
X70 | SX160 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Pentax X70
SX160 IS | X70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lacking Touch display |
Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X70 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX160 IS has got external 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) and the Pentax X70 has measurements of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X70 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the SX160 IS vs the X70.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX160 IS and X70 is 86 and 71 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X70 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very difficult to visualise the difference in sensor measurements purely by going through technical specs. The photograph underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SX160 IS and X70.
As you have seen, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Canon SX160 IS to produce greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images way more aggressively. The fresher SX160 IS will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X70 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X70 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Pentax X70 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Pentax X70 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2013-06-21 | 2009-03-02 |
Physical type | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | 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 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 | 1:1, 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 | 50 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
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) | 26-624mm (24.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/2.8-5.0 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 9.10 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | - |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max 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 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video 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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 291g (0.64 lb) | 410g (0.90 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") | 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") |
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 style | AA | - |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $199 | $200 |