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Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
86
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 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
  • Launched June 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX150 IS
  • Updated by Canon SX170 IS
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic FZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is very similar and both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX160 IS was released 2 years later than the FZ40 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX160 IS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SX160 IS grades versus the FZ40 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Panasonic FZ40

 SX160 IS FZ40 
LaunchedJune 2013July 2010More recent by 36 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Canon SX160 IS

 FZ40 SX160 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Panasonic FZ40

 SX160 IS FZ40 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SX160 IS provides external dimensions 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 Panasonic FZ40 has proportions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") with a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the SX160 IS and the FZ40.

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SX160 IS and FZ40 is 86 and 68 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to picture the difference between sensor measurements purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph here should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX160 IS and FZ40.

As you can see, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size but different MP. You can expect to see the Canon SX160 IS to deliver more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The fresher SX160 IS provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Portrait photography camera
46
focusing manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000s)
MP count good (16MP)
comes with face detect focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
46
has manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Street photography features
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography features
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (291 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than others (494g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Sports photography camera
51
amazing zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
great battery pack (380 CIPA)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
43
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Travel photography camera
69
great battery pack (380 per charge)
lighter than others in class (291 grams)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
long zoom (448mm)
missing Time Lapse function
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
54
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than others (494g)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography factors
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography factors
51
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
great battery pack (380 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
51
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
exports RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Vlogging factors
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging factors
31
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than others in class (291 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
23
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic jack
heavier than others (494 grams)
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Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Panasonic FZ40
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Also called - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-06-21 2010-07-21
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 Venus Engine HD II
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 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/2000s -
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) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 AVCHD Lite
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 291 gr (0.64 lbs) 494 gr (1.09 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
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 -
Battery format AA -
Battery model 2 x AA -
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 One One
Pricing at launch $199 $420