Canon S100 vs Canon SX160 IS

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Canon S100 and Canon SX160 IS, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both created by Canon. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the S100 (12MP) and SX160 IS (16MP) and the S100 (1/1.7") and SX160 IS (1/2.3") possess different sensor size.

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The S100 was revealed 18 months earlier than the SX160 IS making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the S100 matches up against the SX160 IS in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot S100 & Canon PowerShot SX160 IS. The full galleries are viewable at Canon S100 Gallery & Canon SX160 IS Gallery.

For those who are going to carry your camera, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon S100 has external measurements of 99mm x 60mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Canon SX160 IS has proportions of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") and a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs).

Check out the Canon S100 and Canon SX160 IS in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the S100 versus the SX160 IS.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S100 and SX160 IS is 93 and 86 respectively.

Quite often, it can be hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading through specs. The photograph below should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the S100 and SX160 IS.

All in all, both of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The S100 having a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Canon SX160 IS will resolve greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The older S100 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.