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Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX420 IS

Portability
86
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
Portability
80
Imaging
46
Features
34
Overall
41

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX420 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
  • Released June 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX150 IS
  • Updated by Canon SX170 IS
Canon SX420 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
  • 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
  • Launched January 2016
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Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Canon SX160 IS versus Canon SX420 IS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both are designed by Canon. The resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the SX420 IS (20MP) is pretty comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX160 IS was introduced 3 years before the SX420 IS and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX160 IS being a Compact camera and the Canon SX420 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a brief overview of how the SX160 IS scores vs the SX420 IS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Canon SX420 IS

 SX160 IS SX420 IS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Canon SX160 IS

 SX420 IS SX160 IS 
LaunchedJanuary 2016June 2013Fresher by 30 months

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX420 IS

 SX160 IS SX420 IS 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX160 IS features outside measurements of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") with a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) and the Canon SX420 IS has specifications of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") along with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).

See the Canon SX160 IS versus Canon SX420 IS in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is the front view size comparison of the SX160 IS versus the SX420 IS.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX420 IS size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX160 IS and SX420 IS is 86 and 80 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX420 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing simply by going through specifications. The photograph here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SX160 IS and SX420 IS.

Plainly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Canon SX420 IS to provide extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The older SX160 IS will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX420 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Canon SX420 IS as a Portrait photography camera
46
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
44
has manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Street photography camera
Canon SX420 IS as a Street photography camera
59
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (291 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
52
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Sports photography camera
Canon SX420 IS as a Sports photography camera
51
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
better than average battery power (380 per charge)
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
41
excellent zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
painfully slow continuous shooting (0.5 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (195 per charge)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography information
Canon SX420 IS Travel photography information
69
better than average battery power (380 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (291 grams)
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
long zoom (448mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
61
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (1008mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (195 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography highlights
Canon SX420 IS Landscape photography highlights
51
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
better than average battery power (380 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse function
47
has manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery power (195 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Vlogging advice
Canon SX420 IS Vlogging advice
31
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (291 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone socket
29
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone support
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Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX420 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX420 IS
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISCanon PowerShot SX420 IS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Canon PowerShot SX420 IS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-06-21 2016-01-05
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 DIGIC 4+
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
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 5152 x 3864
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-1008mm (42.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.5-6.6
Macro focus distance 1cm 0cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 0.5 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 291g (0.64 lbs) 325g (0.72 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3")
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 photographs 195 photographs
Style of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA NB-11LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $199 $299