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Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX230 HS

Portability
86
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX230 HS 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
  • Released June 2013
  • Previous Model is Canon SX150 IS
  • New Model is Canon SX170 IS
Canon SX230 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-392mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 223g - 106 x 62 x 33mm
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Superseded the Canon SX210 IS
  • New Model is Canon SX240 HS
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Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Canon SX160 IS versus Canon SX230 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both of them are created by Canon. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the SX160 IS (16MP) and SX230 HS (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX160 IS was unveiled 24 months later than the SX230 HS making them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SX160 IS grades versus the SX230 HS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Canon SX230 HS

 SX160 IS SX230 HS 
IntroducedJune 2013July 2011Fresher by 24 months

Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Canon SX160 IS

 SX230 HS SX160 IS 
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX230 HS

 SX160 IS SX230 HS 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Canon SX160 IS provides physical measurements of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") having a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) whilst the Canon SX230 HS has sizing of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX160 IS versus Canon SX230 HS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the SX160 IS versus the SX230 HS.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX230 HS size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SX160 IS and SX230 HS is 86 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX230 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing only by seeing specs. The photograph underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX160 IS and SX230 HS.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Canon SX160 IS to show more detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The fresher SX160 IS will have an advantage in sensor technology.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX230 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography highlights
Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography highlights
46
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
decent MP (16MP)
comes with face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
34
manual focus
provides face detection autofocus
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Street photography information
Canon SX230 HS Street photography information
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (291 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (223 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Sports photography features
Canon SX230 HS Sports photography features
51
amazing zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
good battery life (380 shots)
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
36
long zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (210 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography information
Canon SX230 HS Travel photography information
69
good battery life (380 CIPA)
lighter than others in class (291 grams)
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
long reach (448mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
61
lighter than average (223g)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
great zoom (392mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
low battery power (210 shots)
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography factors
Canon SX230 HS Landscape photography factors
51
you can focus manually
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good battery life (380 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
41
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
low battery power (210 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Vlogging features
Canon SX230 HS Vlogging features
31
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than others in class (291g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic port
34
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (223g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone support
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Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX230 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISCanon PowerShot SX230 HS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-06-21 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 28-392mm (14.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT Color LCD PureColor II TG TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/3200s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 291 gr (0.64 pounds) 223 gr (0.49 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 380 pictures 210 pictures
Style of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA NB-5L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $199 $399