Canon SX160 IS vs Samsung CL5

Here, we will be analyzing the Canon SX160 IS vs Samsung CL5, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by rivals Canon and Samsung. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the SX160 IS (16MP) and CL5 (9MP) and the SX160 IS (1/2.3") and CL5 (1/2.5") offer different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The SX160 IS was introduced 4 years after the CL5 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX160 IS being a Compact camera and the Samsung CL5 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SX160 IS scores against the CL5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX160 IS and Samsung CL5. The whole galleries are provided at Canon SX160 IS Gallery and Samsung CL5 Gallery.

If you're planning to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX160 IS comes with outside measurements of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") and a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) and the Samsung CL5 has specifications of 93mm x 60mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7") along with a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs).

See the Canon SX160 IS vs Samsung CL5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is a front view scale comparison of the SX160 IS compared to the CL5.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SX160 IS and CL5 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Usually, its hard to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions just by looking at specs. The image underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX160 IS and CL5.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SX160 IS using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Canon SX160 IS will resolve more detail using its extra 7 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more modern SX160 IS provides an edge in sensor innovation.