Clicky

Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX160 IS

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
Portability
86
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42

Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX160 IS Key Specs

Canon SX120 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
  • 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
  • Announced August 2009
Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 291g - 111 x 73 x 44mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Superseded the Canon SX150 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX170 IS
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX160 IS Overview

Its time to look closer at the Canon SX120 IS versus Canon SX160 IS, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are produced by Canon. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the SX120 IS (10MP) and SX160 IS (16MP) and the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and SX160 IS (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor measurements.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The SX120 IS was brought out 4 years earlier than the SX160 IS which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a short summation of how the SX120 IS grades vs the SX160 IS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Canon SX160 IS

 SX120 IS SX160 IS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Canon SX120 IS

 SX160 IS SX120 IS 
RevealedJune 2013August 2009Newer by 46 months

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Canon SX160 IS

 SX120 IS SX160 IS 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX160 IS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SX120 IS offers outside measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") with a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) whilst the Canon SX160 IS has measurements of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") with a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX120 IS versus Canon SX160 IS in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the SX120 IS and the SX160 IS.

Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX160 IS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SX120 IS and SX160 IS is 87 and 86 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX160 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX160 IS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing specs. The picture below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX120 IS and SX160 IS.

All in all, both of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SX120 IS because of its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Canon SX160 IS will deliver more detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SX120 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX160 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX160 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX160 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Portrait photography info
Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography info
33
manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/500s)
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
has no RAW support
46
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
provides face detect focus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Street photography camera
Canon SX160 IS as a Street photography camera
51
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
has no RAW support
more heavy than competition (285g)
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (291g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX120 IS
Sports photography with Canon SX160 IS
26
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
has no phase detect AF
51
great zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery power (380 per charge)
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX120 IS
Travel photography with Canon SX160 IS
51
flash built-in
long reach (360mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (285g)
MP count low (10MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
better than average battery power (380 CIPA)
lighter than competitors (291g)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
very long reach (448mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Landscape photography highlights
Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography highlights
36
manual focus
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
has no RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
51
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
better than average battery power (380 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Vlogging details
Canon SX160 IS Vlogging details
23
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
more heavy than competition (285 grams)
31
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
lighter than competitors (291g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone port
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Canon SX120 IS vs Canon SX160 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Canon SX160 IS
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISCanon PowerShot SX160 IS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Canon PowerShot SX160 IS
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-08-19 2013-06-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Digic 4
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-360mm (10.0x) 28-448mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-4.3 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/2500s 1/3200s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/500s 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 285 grams (0.63 lbs) 291 grams (0.64 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 380 pictures
Battery form - AA
Battery ID 2 x AA 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $249 $199