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Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S2

Portability
86
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S2 Key Specs

Canon SX160 IS
(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  • Superseded the Canon SX150 IS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
Panasonic S2
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Panasonic S2

 SX160 IS S2 
IntroducedJune 2013January 2012Newer by 18 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX160 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic S2
46
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers face detect focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
33
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Street photography information
Panasonic S2 Street photography information
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (291 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (112g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX160 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic S2
51
incredible zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
great battery (380 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
39
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
great battery power (280 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic S2 as a Travel photography camera
69
great battery (380 per charge)
lighter than competition (291g)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
great reach (448mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
70
great battery power (280 shots)
lighter than competition in class (112g)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography info
Panasonic S2 Landscape photography info
51
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
great battery (380 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
41
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
great battery power (280 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Vlogging highlights
Panasonic S2 Vlogging highlights
31
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
lighter than competition (291g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (112 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone support
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Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Panasonic S2
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISPanasonic 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