Clicky

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX260 HS

Portability
86
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS front
Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Key Specs

Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Succeeded the Canon SX150 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX170 IS
Canon SX260 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 231g - 106 x 61 x 33mm
  • Launched June 2012
  • Older Model is Canon SX240 HS
  • Replacement is Canon SX270 HS
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX260 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both are produced by Canon. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the SX160 IS (16MP) and SX260 HS (12MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The SX160 IS was announced 13 months later than the SX260 HS which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SX160 IS grades against the SX260 HS with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Canon SX260 HS

 SX160 IS SX260 HS 
LaunchedJune 2013June 2012Fresher by 13 months

Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Canon SX160 IS

 SX260 HS SX160 IS 
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX260 HS

 SX160 IS SX260 HS 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SX160 IS comes with exterior measurements of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") along with a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) whilst the Canon SX260 HS has measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX260 HS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the SX160 IS vs the SX260 HS.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX260 HS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SX160 IS and SX260 HS is 86 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX260 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing purely by researching technical specs. The visual underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX160 IS and SX260 HS.

As you have seen, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Canon SX160 IS to result in greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The newer SX160 IS is going to have an edge in sensor innovation.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX260 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography features
Canon SX260 HS Portrait photography features
46
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
features face detection focus
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
37
focusing manually
features face detect focus
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX160 IS
Street photography with Canon SX260 HS
59
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (291 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (231g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Sports photography camera
Canon SX260 HS as a Sports photography camera
51
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
good battery life (380 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
36
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
low battery (230 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX160 IS
Travel photography with Canon SX260 HS
69
good battery life (380 per charge)
lighter than average in class (291 grams)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
great reach (448mm)
no Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
61
lighter than others (231g)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low battery (230 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography advice
Canon SX260 HS Landscape photography advice
51
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good battery life (380 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse recording
41
focusing manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
low battery (230 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Vlogging features
Canon SX260 HS Vlogging features
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
lighter than average in class (291 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone support
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (231 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone socket
Photography Glossary

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX260 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISCanon PowerShot SX260 HS
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Canon PowerShot SX260 HS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-06-21 2012-06-04
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Digic 5
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
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.5-6.8
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Color LCD PureColor II TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200s 1/3200s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 291 grams (0.64 lbs) 231 grams (0.51 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 106 x 61 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 photos 230 photos
Type of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $199 $349