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Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ7

Portability
86
Imaging
39
Features
45
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ7 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
  • Launched June 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX150 IS
  • New Model is Canon SX170 IS
Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
Photography Glossary

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ7 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ7, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the SZ7 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX160 IS was announced 18 months later than the SZ7 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SX160 IS scores versus the SZ7 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Panasonic SZ7

 SX160 IS SZ7 
LaunchedJune 2013January 2012Fresher by 18 months
Manual focus More precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Canon SX160 IS

 SZ7 SX160 IS 
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Panasonic SZ7

 SX160 IS SZ7 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ7 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Canon SX160 IS enjoys physical dimensions of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ7 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ7 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX160 IS vs the SZ7.

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ7 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX160 IS and SZ7 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ7 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ7 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizing only by looking at specs. The graphic underneath may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX160 IS and SZ7.

All in all, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Canon SX160 IS to give you more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The newer SX160 IS is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ7 sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Portrait photography camera
46
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
33
decent MP (14MP)
supports face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Street photography camera
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (291g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (133 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Sports photography details
Panasonic SZ7 Sports photography details
50
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography features
Panasonic SZ7 Travel photography features
68
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
lighter than competitors in class (291 grams)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
long zoom (448mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
70
lighter than others (133g)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography information
Panasonic SZ7 Landscape photography information
51
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
42
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Vlogging camera
31
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (291g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
35
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (133g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
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Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Panasonic SZ7
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-06-21 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 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
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount 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 distance 1cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 291 grams (0.64 lbs) 133 grams (0.29 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 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 shots 220 shots
Battery style AA Battery Pack
Battery model 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 1 1
Price at release $199 $199