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Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX20 IS

Portability
86
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Key Specs

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
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX150 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX170 IS
Canon SX20 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Replaced the Canon SX10 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX30 IS
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Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX20 IS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both of them are created by Canon. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the SX160 IS (16MP) and SX20 IS (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX160 IS was launched 3 years after the SX20 IS which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Canon SX160 IS being a Compact camera and the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SX160 IS scores against the SX20 IS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Canon SX20 IS

 SX160 IS SX20 IS 
ReleasedJune 2013July 2010More modern by 37 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")

Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Canon SX160 IS

 SX20 IS SX160 IS 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX20 IS

 SX160 IS SX20 IS 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera often, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SX160 IS has got exterior measurements of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") and a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) and the Canon SX20 IS has sizing of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX20 IS in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the SX160 IS vs the SX20 IS.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX20 IS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX160 IS and SX20 IS is 86 and 65 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX20 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through specifications. The image underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SX160 IS and SX20 IS.

Plainly, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Canon SX160 IS to provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The fresher SX160 IS should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX20 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography factors
Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography factors
46
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
good resolution (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
37
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/500s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Street photography highlights
Canon SX20 IS Street photography highlights
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (291 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
49
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competition (600g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Sports photography features
Canon SX20 IS Sports photography features
51
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
good battery pack (380 CIPA)
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
34
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography info
Canon SX20 IS Travel photography info
69
good battery pack (380 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (291g)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
great zoom (448mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
53
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
relatively wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (600g)
MP count low (12MP)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography highlights
Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography highlights
51
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
good battery pack (380 shots)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
35
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Vlogging factors
Canon SX20 IS Vlogging factors
31
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
lighter than average in class (291 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
50
relatively wide (28mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
heavier than competition (600 grams)
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Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX20 IS
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISCanon PowerShot SX20 IS
General Information
Brand Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-06-21 2010-07-06
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 Digic 4
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8-5.7
Macro focusing range 1cm 0cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inches 2.5 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/3200s 1/3200s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 6.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/2000s 1/500s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 291 grams (0.64 lb) 600 grams (1.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images -
Battery style AA -
Battery ID 2 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $199 $500