Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S2
86 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


96 Imaging
37 Features
29 Overall
33
Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S2 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- 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- Superseded the Canon SX150 IS
- Renewed by Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
- 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
- Introduced January 2012

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S2 Overview
In this article, we will be contrasting the Canon SX160 IS versus Panasonic S2, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the S2 (14MP) is pretty close and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The SX160 IS was released 18 months after the S2 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the SX160 IS grades versus the S2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S2 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX160 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SX160 IS Gallery & Panasonic S2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Panasonic S2
SX160 IS | S2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2013 | ![]() | January 2012 | Newer by 18 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Canon SX160 IS
S2 | SX160 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Panasonic S2
SX160 IS | S2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither contains Touch screen |
Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX160 IS has got physical measurements of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") along with a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S2 has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).
Check the Canon SX160 IS versus Panasonic S2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the SX160 IS versus the S2.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX160 IS and S2 is 86 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions simply by viewing technical specs. The pic underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX160 IS and S2.
As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Canon SX160 IS to result in extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The newer SX160 IS is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S2 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2013-06-21 | 2012-01-09 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | - |
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 | 16MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 23 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.1-6.5 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/3200s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt 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 | ||
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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max 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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 291 gr (0.64 pounds) | 112 gr (0.25 pounds) |
Dimensions | 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") | 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") |
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 | 280 photographs |
Battery style | AA | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $199 | $109 |