Objective To compare and analyze the value of multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) and MRI in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Methods The MSCT and MRI data of 60 cases of patients with suspected pancreatic cancer who admitted in our hospital between April 2013 and June 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. With pathological results as control, the sensitivities, specificities and accuracies of MSCT and MRI in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and the diagnosis rate of early pancreatic staging were compared. Results Surgery and pathology confirmed 38 cases with pancreatic cancer. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MSCT in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer were 84.2%, 77.3% and 81.75, respectively. Compared with those of MRI (92.1%, 72.7%, 85%), there was no significant difference (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in diagnosis rate of early pancreatic cancer between CT and MRI (P>0.05). CT images of pancreatic cancer showed pancreatic enlargement and irregular shape. Enhanced scan showed low-density masses in the pancreatic parenchyma; MRI images of pancreatic cancer showed low or slightly low signal on mass T1WI, mixed or slightly low signal on T2WI. Conclusion Compared with MSCT, the sensitivity and accuracy of MRI in diagnosis of pancreatic cancer are slightly higher while the specificity of MSCT is slightly higher. Both if the two diagnostic methods have their own advantages. Therefore, appropriate imaging method should be chosen according to the real condition of patients.