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Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S6500

Portability
86
Imaging
39
Features
45
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S6500 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
51
Overall
43

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S6500 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
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX150 IS
  • Renewed by Canon SX170 IS
Nikon S6500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-300mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 95 x 58 x 26mm
  • Released January 2013
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Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S6500 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Canon SX160 IS and Nikon S6500, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the S6500 (16MP) is very well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX160 IS was introduced 6 months after the S6500 so they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SX160 IS scores vs the S6500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Nikon S6500

 SX160 IS S6500 

Reasons to pick Nikon S6500 over the Canon SX160 IS

 S6500 SX160 IS 
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Nikon S6500

 SX160 IS S6500 
ReleasedJune 2013January 2013Similar generation
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S6500 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX160 IS has got outer measurements of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") with a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) whilst the Nikon S6500 has sizing of 95mm x 58mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX160 IS and Nikon S6500 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 differ dependant on the lens you select during that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the SX160 IS and the S6500.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S6500 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX160 IS and S6500 is 86 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S6500 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S6500 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes simply by looking at technical specs. The pic below will offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX160 IS and S6500.

As you have seen, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels so you should expect similar quality of photographs but you should consider the production date of the products into consideration.

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S6500 sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S6500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S6500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography advice
Nikon S6500 Portrait photography advice
46
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
43
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
supports face detection focus
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX160 IS
Street photography with Nikon S6500
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (291g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (250g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Sports photography info
Nikon S6500 Sports photography info
50
amazing zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
great battery (380 shots)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
49
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography factors
Nikon S6500 Travel photography factors
68
great battery (380 per charge)
lighter than competitors (291g)
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
great zoom (448mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than competition in class (250g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S6500 as a Landscape photography camera
51
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
great battery (380 shots)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
49
has manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Vlogging info
Nikon S6500 Vlogging info
31
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than competitors (291g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
34
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (250g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic port
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Canon SX160 IS vs Nikon S6500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Nikon S6500
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISNikon Coolpix S6500
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Nikon Coolpix S6500
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-06-21 2013-01-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
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 mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD AMOLED display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/2000 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 lb) 250 grams (0.55 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 95 x 58 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" 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 pictures -
Type of battery AA -
Battery ID 2 x AA SLB-10A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $199 $170