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Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S31

Portability
86
Imaging
39
Features
45
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S31 front
Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S31 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
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX150 IS
  • Replacement is Canon SX170 IS
Nikon S31
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.9" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F) lens
  • 185g - 105 x 65 x 42mm
  • Announced June 2013
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Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S31 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Canon SX160 IS versus Nikon S31, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof by brands Canon and Nikon. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the SX160 IS (16MP) and S31 (10MP) and the SX160 IS (1/2.3") and S31 (1/2.9") have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SX160 IS was manufactured within a month of the S31 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SX160 IS scores vs the S31 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Nikon S31

 SX160 IS S31 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Canon SX160 IS

 S31 SX160 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Nikon S31

 SX160 IS S31 
AnnouncedJune 2013June 2013Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S31 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX160 IS has got outer dimensions 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 S31 has dimensions of 105mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

See the Canon SX160 IS versus Nikon S31 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the SX160 IS against the S31.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S31 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX160 IS and S31 is 86 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S31 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S31 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizing purely by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic below will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX160 IS and S31.

Clearly, the 2 cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SX160 IS featuring a larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Canon SX160 IS will provide extra detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos way more aggressively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S31 sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S31 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S31 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon S31 as a Portrait photography camera
46
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/2,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features face detect focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
19
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
low resolution (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.9")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Street photography advice
Nikon S31 Street photography advice
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (291g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
52
environment sealing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.9")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX160 IS
Sports photography with Nikon S31
50
great zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features tracking focus
great battery (380 CIPA)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
24
environment sealing
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.9")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography information
Nikon S31 Travel photography information
68
great battery (380 shots)
lighter than competitors (291 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
long reach (448mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
59
environment sealing
built-in flash
good max aperture (f)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low resolution (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (29mm)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX160 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon S31
51
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
great battery (380 shots)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
30
good max aperture (f)
environment sealing
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.9")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Vlogging highlights
Nikon S31 Vlogging highlights
31
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
lighter than competitors (291g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
24
good max aperture (f)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
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Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S31 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Nikon S31
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISNikon Coolpix S31
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Nikon Coolpix S31
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Revealed 2013-06-21 2013-06-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.9"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 4.96 x 3.72mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 18.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
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) 29-87mm (3.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 7.3
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 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) 1280 x 720
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 -
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 291 grams (0.64 pounds) 185 grams (0.41 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 105 x 65 x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7")
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 photographs 260 photographs
Style of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD / SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $199 $90