• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1248.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX50 advantages over Pentax XG-1

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 315 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    13.0 fps vs 9.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Pentax XG-1 advantages over Canon SX50

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Buy the Canon SX50
Canon SX50

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Pentax XG-1
All XG-1 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • 50x optical zoom with whopping 24-1200mm-equivalent reach; Excellent image quality for its class; 2.8-inch vari-angle LCD; Ergonomic design and controls; Improved image stabilization and Zoom Framing Assist; Shoots RAW; Full 1080p HD video.

  • Poor low-light AF performance; Image quality deteriorates at ISO 800 and above; Sluggish cycle times; Below average battery life.

  • Read our Canon SX50 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Leica V-LUX 3

Canon SX50
Leica V-LUX 3
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX50 vs Leica V-LUX 3

Pentax XG-1
Leica V-LUX 3
  • $2018
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax XG-1 vs Leica V-LUX 3

Compared to Nikon P600

Canon SX50
Nikon P600
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon SX50 vs Nikon P600

Pentax XG-1
Nikon P600
  • $2018
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax XG-1 vs Nikon P600

Compared to Canon SX60

Canon SX50
Canon SX60
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon SX50 vs Canon SX60

Pentax XG-1
Canon SX60
  • $2018
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax XG-1 vs Canon SX60

Compared to Fujifilm S9900W

Canon SX50
Fujifilm S9900W
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $719
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Canon SX50 vs Fujifilm S9900W

Pentax XG-1
Fujifilm S9900W
  • $2018
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Longer exposure
  • $719
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax XG-1 vs Fujifilm S9900W

Compared to Nikon P610

Canon SX50
Nikon P610
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $599
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Canon SX50 vs Nikon P610

Pentax XG-1
Nikon P610
  • $2018
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $599
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Pentax XG-1 vs Nikon P610

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