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Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
86
Imaging
39
Features
45
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax XG-1 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
  • Succeeded the Canon SX150 IS
  • Renewed by Canon SX170 IS
Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Launched July 2014
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Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax XG-1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the XG-1 (16MP) is fairly close and both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX160 IS was revealed 12 months earlier than the XG-1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras have different body design with the Canon SX160 IS being a Compact camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going right into a detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the SX160 IS grades versus the XG-1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 SX160 IS XG-1 

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

 XG-1 SX160 IS 
LaunchedJuly 2014June 2013More recent by 12 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

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

 SX160 IS XG-1 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon SX160 IS comes with outer measurements 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 XG-1 has sizing of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") accompanied by a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).

See the Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax XG-1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX160 IS and the XG-1.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SX160 IS and XG-1 is 86 and 66 respectively.

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

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to see the gap in sensor measurements just by viewing specifications. The graphic here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SX160 IS and XG-1.

To sum up, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same MP therefore you should expect comparable quality of files although you would want to factor the production date of the cameras into account. The older SX160 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax XG-1 sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography highlights
Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography highlights
46
manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
good MP (16 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
40
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Street photography factors
Pentax XG-1 Street photography factors
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (291g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Sports photography advice
Pentax XG-1 Sports photography advice
50
excellent zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
good battery (380 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
45
amazing zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Travel photography camera
68
good battery (380 shots)
lighter than average in class (291 grams)
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
great reach (448mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
52
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (1248mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography information
Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography information
51
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
good battery (380 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
45
manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery life (240 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Vlogging camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Vlogging camera
31
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (291g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone jack
25
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
heavier than competition in class (567g)
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Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Pentax XG-1
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISPentax XG-1
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Pentax XG-1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-06-21 2014-07-15
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-1248mm (52.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8-5.6
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dots
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 291g (0.64 lb) 567g (1.25 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9")
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 images 240 images
Form of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA LB-060
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $199 $599