Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax XG-1
86 Imaging
39 Features
45 Overall
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66 Imaging
40 Features
37 Overall
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Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax XG-1 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
- Succeeded the Canon SX150 IS
- Renewed by Canon SX170 IS
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX160 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX160 IS and Pentax XG-1. The full galleries are available at Canon SX160 IS Gallery and Pentax XG-1 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2014 | ![]() | June 2013 | More recent by 12 months |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Pentax XG-1
SX160 IS | XG-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

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