Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic ZS1
86 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


91 Imaging
33 Features
25 Overall
29
Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 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
- Released June 2013
- Succeeded the Canon SX150 IS
- Later Model is Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Revealed May 2009
- Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ6

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview
Here, we are evaluating the Canon SX160 IS and Panasonic ZS1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the SX160 IS (16MP) and ZS1 (10MP) and the SX160 IS (1/2.3") and ZS1 (1/2.5") posses totally different sensor sizing.

The SX160 IS was unveiled 4 years after the ZS1 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SX160 IS scores versus the ZS1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX160 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1. The full galleries are available at Canon SX160 IS Gallery & Panasonic ZS1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Panasonic ZS1
SX160 IS | ZS1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | June 2013 | ![]() | May 2009 | More modern by 50 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Canon SX160 IS
ZS1 | SX160 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Panasonic ZS1
SX160 IS | ZS1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry around your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX160 IS enjoys external measurements 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 ZS1 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SX160 IS and Panasonic ZS1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX160 IS vs the ZS1.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX160 IS and ZS1 is 86 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is tough to envision the gap in sensor sizes merely by checking out a spec sheet. The image underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SX160 IS and ZS1.
As you can see, both of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SX160 IS having a larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field simpler and the Canon SX160 IS will provide greater detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The younger SX160 IS will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Panasonic |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 |
Other name | - | Lumix DMC-TZ6 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2013-06-21 | 2009-05-14 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.5" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 5.744 x 4.308mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 24.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 11 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 6.3 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 60 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest 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) | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video 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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 291 gr (0.64 pounds) | 229 gr (0.50 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
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 images | - |
Battery style | AA | - |
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/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail pricing | $199 | $0 |