Pentax Q-S1 vs Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Pentax Q-S1 and the Canon PowerShot SX160 IS, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Pentax Q-S1 was introduced in August 2014 and Canon PowerShot SX160 IS was introduced in June 2013. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax Q-S1 over Canon PowerShot SX160 IS.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot SX160 IS over Pentax Q-S1.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Pentax Q-S1 and Canon PowerShot SX160 IS have 3.0" Fixed screens with 460k dot and 230k dot resolutions respectively.

Pentax Q-S1 features a 12.4 megapixel 1/1.7-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 7.44 x 5.58 mm and a total area of 41.5 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,800. Canon PowerShot SX160 IS features a 16 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600.

Pentax Q-S1 has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

Pentax Q-S1 is equipped with Q Engine processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4000 x 2664, 4000 x 2248, 2992 x 2992, 3072 x 2034, 3072 x 2048, 3072 x 1728, 2304 x 2304, 1920 x 1400, 1920 x 1280, 1920 x 1080, 1440 x 1440 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Canon PowerShot SX160 IS is equipped with DIGIC 4 processor and can take pictures up to 4608 x 3456 resolution.

Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in image stabilization. On Pentax Q-S1 it means that you are still getting vibration reduction when it is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.

Battery

Pentax Q-S1 comes with D-LI68 battery pack with battery life of 250 shots and Canon PowerShot SX160 IS comes with 2 x AA battery pack with battery life of 380 shots.

External Storage Slots

Pentax Q-S1 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot. Canon PowerShot SX160 IS has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Pentax Q-S1, and up to 1/3200 sec on Canon PowerShot SX160 IS. Pentax Q-S1 can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps. Canon PowerShot SX160 IS can shoot continuously up to 0.8 fps.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 4.90 m at ISO 100 on Pentax Q-S1 and 3.00 m on Canon PowerShot SX160 IS. Pentax Q-S1 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/2000 sec on Canon PowerShot SX160 IS.

Pentax Q-S1 body has dimensions of 105 x 58 x 34 mm (4.13 x 2.28 x 1.34") and Canon PowerShot SX160 IS body has dimensions of 111 x 73 x 44 mm (4.37 x 2.87 x 1.73"). Pentax Q-S1 weighs 203 g (0.45 lb / 7.16 oz) and Canon PowerShot SX160 IS weighs 291 g (0.64 lb / 10.26 oz).

Pentax Q-S1

Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

105 mm

58 mm

111 mm

73 mm

58 mm

73 mm