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Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon AW120

Portability
86
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon AW120 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
  • Successor is Canon SX170 IS
Nikon AW120
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 213g - 110 x 66 x 26mm
  • Revealed February 2014
  • Replaced the Nikon AW110
  • New Model is Nikon AW130
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Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon AW120 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Canon SX160 IS and Nikon AW120, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by rivals Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the AW120 (16MP) is very comparable and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX160 IS was released 7 months earlier than the AW120 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the SX160 IS grades vs the AW120 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Nikon AW120

 SX160 IS AW120 
Focus manually More exact focusing

Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Canon SX160 IS

 AW120 SX160 IS 
RevealedFebruary 2014June 2013Newer by 7 months
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Nikon AW120

 SX160 IS AW120 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon AW120 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX160 IS comes with physical measurements of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") and a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) and the Nikon AW120 has proportions of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") and a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs).

Check the Canon SX160 IS and Nikon AW120 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX160 IS versus the AW120.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon AW120 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX160 IS and AW120 is 86 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon AW120 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon AW120 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to see the difference in sensor dimensions merely by checking out specs. The image here might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SX160 IS and AW120.

All in all, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the identical resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of images though you need to consider the production date of the cameras into account. The more aged SX160 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon AW120 sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon AW120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon AW120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography advice
Nikon AW120 Portrait photography advice
46
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
35
MP count good (16MP)
has face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon AW120 as a Street photography camera
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (291g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Sports photography features
Nikon AW120 Sports photography features
51
amazing zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
good battery life (380 CIPA)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
better than average battery pack (350 shots)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography factors
Nikon AW120 Travel photography factors
69
good battery life (380 CIPA)
lighter than competitors (291 grams)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
great reach (448mm)
no Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
69
better than average battery pack (350 CIPA)
environment proofing
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse recording
does not have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon AW120 as a Landscape photography camera
51
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
good battery life (380 CIPA)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
48
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
environment proofing
better than average battery pack (350 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX160 IS
Vlogging with Nikon AW120
31
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than competitors (291g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic support
33
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
no mic jack
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Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon AW120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Nikon AW120
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISNikon Coolpix AW120
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Nikon Coolpix AW120
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Released 2013-06-21 2014-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 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 -
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8-4.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT Color LCD OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 5.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/2000 secs -
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
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 291 grams (0.64 lbs) 213 grams (0.47 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0")
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 350 photos
Battery format AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD / SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $199 $350