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Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
41
Features
37
Overall
39

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(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
  • 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
  • Launched August 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX160 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
  • Revealed July 2014
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Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Canon SX170 IS versus Pentax XG-1, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the XG-1 (16MP) is fairly similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was launched 10 months earlier than the XG-1 so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SX170 IS scores against the XG-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Pentax XG-1

 SX170 IS XG-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Canon SX170 IS

 XG-1 SX170 IS 
RevealedJuly 2014August 2013Newer by 10 months
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Pentax XG-1

 SX170 IS XG-1 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX170 IS has got exterior measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Pentax XG-1 has measurements of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX170 IS versus 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 differ dependant on the lens you use at that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the SX170 IS versus the XG-1.

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX170 IS and XG-1 is 88 and 66 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax XG-1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions just by going over a spec sheet. The pic below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SX170 IS and XG-1.

Clearly, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical MP so you should expect similar quality of photos though you should really take the production date of the products into consideration. The more aged SX170 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax XG-1 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography details
Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography details
44
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
comes with face detection focus
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
40
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography info
Pentax XG-1 Street photography info
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (251 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
more heavy than average (567 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography highlights
Pentax XG-1 Sports photography highlights
48
amazing zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
45
long zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (240 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography factors
Pentax XG-1 Travel photography factors
68
lighter than competitors in class (251g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
long reach (448mm)
lack of Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
52
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (1248mm)
missing Timelapse function
bad battery pack (240 per charge)
more heavy than average (567 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography details
Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography details
49
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
45
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
bad battery pack (240 shots)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Vlogging camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Vlogging camera
31
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
lighter than competitors in class (251 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone socket
25
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone port
more heavy than average (567 grams)
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Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Pentax XG-1
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISPentax XG-1
General Information
Company Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Pentax XG-1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-08-22 2014-07-15
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
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
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-1248mm (52.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8-5.6
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dot
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 9.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 251 gr (0.55 pounds) 567 gr (1.25 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" 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 300 pictures 240 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH LB-060
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $0 $599