Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S1
86 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


96 Imaging
35 Features
21 Overall
29
Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S1 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
- Revealed June 2013
- Superseded the Canon SX150 IS
- Successor is Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Launched January 2011

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S1 Overview
Let's look closer at the Canon SX160 IS versus Panasonic S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the SX160 IS (16MP) and S1 (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX160 IS was announced 2 years later than the S1 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SX160 IS grades versus the S1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S1 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX160 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1. The whole galleries are provided at Canon SX160 IS Gallery & Panasonic S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Panasonic S1
SX160 IS | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | June 2013 | ![]() | January 2011 | Fresher by 30 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Canon SX160 IS
S1 | SX160 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Panasonic S1
SX160 IS | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison
When you are going to carry your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX160 IS offers physical 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 Panasonic S1 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX160 IS versus Panasonic S1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the SX160 IS and the S1.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SX160 IS and S1 is 86 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizing only by looking through technical specs. The visual here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX160 IS and S1.
As you have seen, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Canon SX160 IS to provide you with greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern SX160 IS should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2013-06-21 | 2011-01-05 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | Venus Engine IV |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.1-5.6 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 8 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per second | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 3.30 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/2000 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 291 gr (0.64 lbs) | 117 gr (0.26 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
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 | 240 photographs |
Style of battery | AA | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail pricing | $199 | $269 |