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Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X90

Portability
86
Imaging
39
Features
45
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Pentax X90 front
Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X90 Key Specs

Canon SX160 IS
(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
Pentax X90
(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
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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").

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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.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Pentax X90

 SX160 IS X90 
IntroducedJune 2013July 2010More modern by 37 months
Screen dimensions3"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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X90 size comparison

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

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X90 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography highlights
Pentax X90 Portrait photography highlights
46
has manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
decent MP (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
29
has manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Street photography information
Pentax X90 Street photography information
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (291 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Sports photography camera
Pentax X90 as a Sports photography camera
50
incredible zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
supports tracking focus
better than average battery life (380 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
42
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography details
Pentax X90 Travel photography details
68
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
lighter than average (291 grams)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
great reach (448mm)
no Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
51
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
very long reach (676mm)
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX160 IS
Landscape photography with Pentax X90
51
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
better than average battery life (380 per charge)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse recording
35
has manual focus
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Vlogging factors
Pentax X90 Vlogging factors
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than average (291 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
23
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic support
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Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax X90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Pentax X90
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISPentax 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