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Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX520 HS

Portability
86
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
Portability
69
Imaging
41
Features
44
Overall
42

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX520 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
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX150 IS
  • Later Model is Canon SX170 IS
Canon SX520 HS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.4-6.0) lens
  • 441g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Released July 2014
  • Replaced the Canon SX510 HS
  • Replacement is Canon SX530 HS
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Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Canon SX160 IS versus Canon SX520 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both are sold by Canon. The resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the SX520 HS (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX160 IS was released 13 months before the SX520 HS which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a short view of how the SX160 IS matches up versus the SX520 HS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Canon SX520 HS

 SX160 IS SX520 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Canon SX160 IS

 SX520 HS SX160 IS 
ReleasedJuly 2014June 2013Newer by 13 months
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX520 HS

 SX160 IS SX520 HS 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX160 IS has external measurements of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") and a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) whilst the Canon SX520 HS has dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX160 IS versus Canon SX520 HS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the SX160 IS vs the SX520 HS.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX520 HS size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX160 IS and SX520 HS is 86 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX520 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading specifications. The picture underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX160 IS and SX520 HS.

To sum up, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same MP therefore you can expect similar quality of photographs though you have to factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The more aged SX160 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX520 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography information
Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography information
46
focusing manually
great flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
MP count good (16MP)
includes face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
44
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Street photography factors
Canon SX520 HS Street photography factors
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (291 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
47
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Sports photography details
Canon SX520 HS Sports photography details
51
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
good battery (380 CIPA)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
45
great zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (210 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Travel photography camera
Canon SX520 HS as a Travel photography camera
69
good battery (380 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (291 grams)
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
very long zoom (448mm)
no Timelapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
55
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (1008mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (210 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography advice
Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography advice
51
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good battery (380 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Timelapse function
46
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
not so great battery pack (210 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Vlogging camera
Canon SX520 HS as a Vlogging camera
31
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (291 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone jack
29
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
does not have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX520 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX520 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISCanon PowerShot SX520 HS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Canon PowerShot SX520 HS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-06-21 2014-07-29
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 Digic 4+
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-1008mm (42.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.4-6.0
Macro focusing range 1cm 0cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 5.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, on, off, slow synchro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max 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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, 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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 291 grams (0.64 lbs) 441 grams (0.97 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6")
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 photos 210 photos
Battery type AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA NB-6LH
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 Single Single
Retail pricing $199 $219