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Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
86
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
29
Overall
35

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 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
  • Old Model is Canon SX150 IS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX170 IS
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2013
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Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Canon SX160 IS and Panasonic SZ3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is very well matched and they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX160 IS was introduced 6 months later than the SZ3 so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the SX160 IS grades versus the SZ3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Panasonic SZ3

 SX160 IS SZ3 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Canon SX160 IS

 SZ3 SX160 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Panasonic SZ3

 SX160 IS SZ3 
IntroducedJune 2013January 2013Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX160 IS features outer 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 SZ3 has sizing of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX160 IS and Panasonic SZ3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view scale comparison of the SX160 IS vs the SZ3.

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX160 IS and SZ3 is 86 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reading through technical specs. The graphic underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX160 IS and SZ3.

As you can tell, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical MP so you should expect similar quality of images but you need to take the production date of the products into consideration.

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX160 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ3
46
focusing manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
30
good MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Street photography camera
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (291 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (126g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX160 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ3
51
amazing zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (380 shots)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography information
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography information
69
better than average battery pack (380 per charge)
lighter than average (291 grams)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
long zoom (448mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
71
lighter than competitors (126g)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography info
51
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
better than average battery pack (380 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
38
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX160 IS
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ3
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than average (291 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
31
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (126g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Panasonic SZ3
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-06-21 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 4.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/2000 seconds -
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 291g (0.64 lb) 126g (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 pictures 250 pictures
Style of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $199 $150