Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X90
86 Imaging
39 Features
45 Overall
41


69 Imaging
35 Features
34 Overall
34
Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X90 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced June 2013
- Older Model is Canon SX150 IS
- Updated by Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
- 428g - 111 x 85 x 110mm
- Introduced July 2010

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X90 Overview
On this page, we will be reviewing the Canon SX160 IS versus Pentax X90, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the SX160 IS (16MP) and X90 (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX160 IS was introduced 3 years after the X90 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX160 IS being a Compact camera and the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before delving into a full comparison, here is a quick view of how the SX160 IS scores versus the X90 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X90 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX160 IS & Pentax X90. The whole galleries are provided at Canon SX160 IS Gallery & Pentax X90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Pentax X90
SX160 IS | X90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2013 | ![]() | July 2010 | More modern by 37 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Canon SX160 IS
X90 | SX160 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Pentax X90
SX160 IS | X90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X90 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX160 IS features outer dimensions of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) and the Pentax X90 has proportions of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") along with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).
Compare the Canon SX160 IS versus Pentax X90 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the SX160 IS against the X90.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SX160 IS and X90 is 86 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X90 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizes only by looking through technical specs. The image below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX160 IS and X90.
As you have seen, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can count on the Canon SX160 IS to render extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more recent SX160 IS provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X90 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Pentax X90 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Pentax X90 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2013-06-21 | 2010-07-06 |
Physical type | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | Prime |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 26-676mm (26.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/2.8-5.0 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames per sec | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set 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 | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/2000 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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 support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 291g (0.64 lb) | 428g (0.94 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") | 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 images | - |
Style of battery | AA | - |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | D-L106 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at launch | $199 | $350 |