Canon SX160 IS vs Leica V-Lux 3
86 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


67 Imaging
35 Features
57 Overall
43
Canon SX160 IS vs Leica V-Lux 3 Key Specs
(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
- Launched June 2013
- Superseded the Canon SX150 IS
- Replacement is Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
- 540g - 124 x 81 x 95mm
- Revealed December 2011
- Earlier Model is Leica V-Lux 2
- Successor is Leica V-Lux 4

Canon SX160 IS vs Leica V-Lux 3 Overview
Below is a detailed assessment of the Canon SX160 IS vs Leica V-Lux 3, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Leica. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX160 IS (16MP) and V-Lux 3 (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SX160 IS was revealed 19 months later than the V-Lux 3 making them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SX160 IS being a Compact camera and the Leica V-Lux 3 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SX160 IS matches up vs the V-Lux 3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX160 IS vs Leica V-Lux 3 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX160 IS and Leica V-Lux 3. The full galleries are available at Canon SX160 IS Gallery and Leica V-Lux 3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Leica V-Lux 3
SX160 IS | V-Lux 3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | June 2013 | ![]() | December 2011 | More recent by 19 months |
Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 3 over the Canon SX160 IS
V-Lux 3 | SX160 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+231k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Leica V-Lux 3
SX160 IS | V-Lux 3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurement |
Touch display | ![]() | No Touch display |
Canon SX160 IS vs Leica V-Lux 3 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Canon SX160 IS comes with external measurements of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") having a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) and the Leica V-Lux 3 has sizing of 124mm x 81mm x 95mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.7") and a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs).
Contrast the Canon SX160 IS vs Leica V-Lux 3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX160 IS compared to the V-Lux 3.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX160 IS and V-Lux 3 is 86 and 67 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Leica V-Lux 3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements only by reading technical specs. The photograph here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX160 IS and V-Lux 3.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Canon SX160 IS to deliver greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The fresher SX160 IS provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX160 IS vs Leica V-Lux 3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Leica V-Lux 3 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Leica V-Lux 3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Leica |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Leica V-Lux 3 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2013-06-21 | 2011-12-08 |
Body design | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | 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 | 16 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 23 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/2.8-5.2 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230k dot | 461k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 12.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 9.50 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/2000 seconds | - |
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 291 gr (0.64 lb) | 540 gr (1.19 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") | 124 x 81 x 95mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.7") |
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 | 410 photos |
Type of battery | AA | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 2 x AA | BP-DC 9 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $199 | $949 |