Pentax XG-1 vs Canon SX220 HS

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Pentax XG-1 and the Canon SX220 HS, 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 XG-1 was introduced in July 2014 and Canon SX220 HS was introduced in February 2011. 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 XG-1 over Canon SX220 HS.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon SX220 HS over Pentax XG-1.

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 XG-1 and Canon SX220 HS have 3.0" Fixed screens with 460k dot and 461k dot resolutions respectively.

Electronic Viewfinder on Pentax XG-1

Pentax XG-1 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 200k dot resolution. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Canon SX220 HS.

BSI-CMOS Sensor

Pentax XG-1 features a 16 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 28.1 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200. Canon SX220 HS features a 12 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200.

The cameras have 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 XG-1 can take pictures up to 4608 x 3456 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3648 x 2736, 2592 x 1944, 640 x 480, 4608 x 3072, 4608 x 2592, 2048 x 1536, 1920 x 1080 with 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Canon SX220 HS is equipped with DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4000 x 3000, 4000 x 2248, 4000 x 2664, 2992 x 2992, 2816 x 2112, 2816 x 1880, 2816 x 1584, 2112 x 2112, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1200, 1600 x 1064, 1200 x 1200, 640 x 480, 640 x 424, 640 x 360, 480 x 480 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in [y] image stabilization.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Pentax XG-1 has a Type D HDMI and Canon SX220 HS has a Mini HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Pentax XG-1 comes with LB-060 battery pack with battery life of 240 shots and Canon SX220 HS comes with NB-5L battery pack with battery life of 210 shots.

External Storage Slots

Pentax XG-1 has a single SD/SDHC card slot. Canon SX220 HS has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/ MMCplus/HC MMCplus card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec on Pentax XG-1, and up to 1/3200 sec on Canon SX220 HS. Pentax XG-1 can shoot continuously up to 9.0 fps. Canon SX220 HS can shoot continuously up to 3.2 fps.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 6.00 m on Pentax XG-1 and 3.50 m on Canon SX220 HS. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/2000 sec on Canon SX220 HS.

Pentax XG-1 body has dimensions of 119 x 89 x 98 mm (4.69 x 3.5 x 3.86") and Canon SX220 HS body has dimensions of 106 x 59 x 33 mm (4.17 x 2.32 x 1.3"). Pentax XG-1 weighs 567 g (1.25 lb / 20.00 oz) and Canon SX220 HS weighs [].

Pentax XG-1

Canon SX220 HS

119 mm

89 mm

106 mm

59 mm

89 mm

59 mm