Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L21
86 Imaging
39 Features
45 Overall
41


93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23
Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L21 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
- Announced June 2013
- Superseded the Canon SX150 IS
- Renewed by Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
- 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
- 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
- Released February 2010

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L21 Overview
The following is a complete overview of the Canon SX160 IS and Nikon L21, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Nikon. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the SX160 IS (16MP) and L21 (8MP) but they possess the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX160 IS was manufactured 3 years after the L21 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a quick view of how the SX160 IS grades versus the L21 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L21 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX160 IS & Nikon Coolpix L21. The entire galleries are provided at Canon SX160 IS Gallery & Nikon L21 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Nikon L21
SX160 IS | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | June 2013 | ![]() | February 2010 | Newer by 42 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon SX160 IS
L21 | SX160 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Nikon L21
SX160 IS | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch screen |
Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Canon SX160 IS has 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) while the Nikon L21 has specifications of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX160 IS and Nikon L21 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the SX160 IS and the L21.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SX160 IS and L21 is 86 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's hard to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reviewing technical specs. The pic below will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX160 IS and L21.
As you have seen, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can expect the Canon SX160 IS to deliver more detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more recent SX160 IS should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon L21 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Nikon Coolpix L21 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Nikon Coolpix L21 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2013-06-21 | 2010-02-03 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | Expeed C2 |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 8 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 64 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 38-136mm (3.6x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.1-6.7 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 2.5" |
Resolution of display | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/3200s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest 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) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic 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 gr (0.64 lbs) | 169 gr (0.37 lbs) |
Dimensions | 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 photographs | - |
Type of battery | AA | - |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | $199 | $180 |