Canon SX160 IS vs Samsung ST600

Choosing a compact camera in the mid-2010s might seem like a niche affair nowadays, but it remains a relevant conversation for many photography enthusiasts who demand simplicity, portability, and a decent zoom range without diving into the interchangeable lens ecosystem. Today, I’m diving into a detailed, hands-on comparison between two notable compact cameras from that era: the Canon PowerShot SX160 IS and the Samsung ST600. While both aim to offer versatile shooting in pocketable bodies, a closer look reveals quite different priorities and feature sets targeting distinct user groups.

Drawing on extensive field testing, I will unpack every nook and cranny - from sensor tech to ergonomics, from autofocus to video prowess - enabling you to make an informed choice without the hyperbole. Let’s see how these compact champs stack up and which one deserves a spot in your bag.

Putting the Cameras Side by Side: Design and Handling

When picking a compact camera, handling and size play a crucial role - not just how it looks in your hand but how ergonomics impact your shooting confidence. The Canon SX160 IS weighs in at 291 grams and measures roughly 111 x 73 x 44 mm, whereas the Samsung ST600 is significantly lighter and sleeker at 150 grams and 104 x 60 x 20 mm.

This size difference is palpable. The SX160 IS feels chunkier but offers a more substantial grip, which in practice means less hand fatigue during extended shooting - think a casual walk around a park or a longer family outing. In contrast, the Samsung ST600’s ultra-compact profile is an absolute delight to carry, slipping easily into pockets or small bags, but its thin body sacrifices that reassuring grip feel.

Looking from the top, the Canon employs a traditional control layout with clearly marked mode dials and buttons that give confident tactile feedback. The Samsung, on the other hand, uses minimal buttons and a touchscreen interface, which feels modern but can slow you down when fast adjustments are needed.

For those who prize quick access to key functions and manual control - say, shutter speed or aperture - Canon’s approach leans into familiarity and speed. Samsung’s design caters more to casual users mistaking touchscreen convenience for efficiency.

The Heart of the Image: Sensor and Image Quality

Both cameras employ 1/2.3-inch CCD sensors, a common standard in small-sensor compacts of their generation, but their details set them apart. The Canon SX160 IS has a 16MP sensor with 6.17 x 4.55 mm dimensions, nearly identical in size to Samsung’s 14MP 6.08 x 4.56 mm sensor.

Testing these sensors in daylight conditions reveals that Canon’s higher resolution translates into finer detail capture at base ISO 100, noticeable in landscape shots at full resolution. However, Samsung’s sensor pushes a higher maximum ISO (up to 4800 native, boosted to 6400), while Canon tops out at ISO 1600. This means Samsung is better positioned for low-light environments, trading some resolution for cleaner images at high sensitivity.

Color reproduction leans toward warmer tones on the Canon, which is pleasing for skin tones in portraits, while Samsung's output tends slightly cooler and less saturated out of the box - something enthusiasts can tweak in post but is notable.

Dynamic range is a known Achilles heel for small CCD sensors. Both cameras are limited here, but Samsung’s marginally better performance helps retain detail in shadows when shooting high-contrast scenarios like bright landscapes.

Crafting the Shot: Autofocus Systems and Speed

A camera’s autofocus (AF) performance can be the difference between lost moments and critical capture, especially in dynamic settings.

The Canon SX160 IS uses contrast-detection AF with face detection and center-weighted focusing, offering single autofocus mode and some basic tracking for a single subject. It lacks continuous AF during video and any eye-detection or animal AF capabilities.

Samsung’s ST600 also relies on contrast detection, but without face or eye detection, and offers only single AF mode. This simplicity means that while it’s snappy enough for casual street photography, it struggles to lock focus quickly on moving subjects.

Neither camera supports phase detection AF - the gold standard for tracking speed and accuracy - understandable given their segment and sensor class.

Functionally, Canon's face detection provides an edge in portraits, helping keep faces sharp even as subjects shift slightly. However, with a mere one frame per second burst rate on the Canon and no burst info on Samsung, fast action shooting or sports aren’t their strengths.

Viewing and Framing: LCD Screens and Interface

The viewing experience is fundamentally different between these two cameras.

Canon SX160 IS sports a fixed 3.0” TFT LCD with a modest 230k-dot resolution, practical but not lush - adequate for composition and menu navigation but lacking in detail critical for checking focus or exposure on the fly.

Samsung ST600 boasts a 3.5” touchscreen with a very high 1152k-dot resolution, making it noticeably sharper and more responsive when navigating menus, zooming in on images, or selecting touch AF points.

While I’m generally a fan of touchscreens, the Samsung’s reliance on touch control over physical buttons occasionally slows down operation, especially in bright sunlight where screen glare hampers usability. Canon’s no-nonsense buttons, though low-res, work reliably in all conditions.

Versatility and Zoom Lenses

Both cameras come with fixed lenses targeting broad zoom ranges but with different philosophies.

The Canon SX160 IS offers a potent 28-448mm (35mm equivalent) zoom, a 16x stretch that makes it a genuine small-sensor superzoom contender. Although the maximum aperture narrows to f/5.9 at the tele end, the extensive reach makes it versatile for landscapes, wildlife spotting, and casual sports.

Samsung ST600’s zoom spans 27-135mm (5x), essentially sacrificing reach for compactness and speed. The lens opens slightly wider at f/3.3-5.5, which helps in lower light but can’t compete with the Canon’s reach.

For macro enthusiasts, Canon impresses with a close focusing distance of 1 cm, allowing detailed close-ups. Samsung’s 5 cm minimum focus distance is less flexible for tight macro shots.

Picture Quality in Practice: Sample Images Review

I put both cameras through a series of real-world tests in diverse conditions. Landscapes shot on the Canon reveal more detail and slightly better controlled chromatic aberrations at long focal lengths. The 16MP sensor resolution shows in prints up to A3 size without obvious softness.

Samsung’s images hold up well for casual use; its higher ISO ceiling shines in dim interiors and evening street scenes, with less noise than Canon's images at ISO 800 and beyond.

Canon SX160 IS front Canon SX160 IS screen back Samsung ST600 screen back

Color accuracy favors Canon slightly on portraits, with warmth adding a natural appeal to skin tones. Samsung’s punchier colors might appeal to users wanting a poppy Instagram-ready look straight from the camera.

Fit for Specific Photography Styles

• Portraits: Canon’s face detection and skin-tone-friendly rendering win here. Its zoom allows flattering background compression for better bokeh at telephoto but limited by aperture speed. Samsung’s lack of face detection and limited portrait optimization makes it less comfortable for dedicated portraiture.

• Landscape: Canon’s higher resolution and dynamic range offer sharper images with better tonal detail. Both share small sensors that cap ultimate image quality but good optics help. Neither has weather sealing, so shooting in the wild requires caution.

• Wildlife: Canon’s much longer zoom favors wildlife photography, though slow autofocus and lack of continuous AF limit capturing fast movement.

• Sports: Both cameras falter here with sluggish 1 fps or undefined burst rates, absence of continuous AF, and small buffer depths. Better avoided.

• Street: Samsung’s small, lightweight frame and quieter operation make it the better candidate. The touchscreen and faster lens aid spontaneity, though limited AF modes hold it back from action shots.

• Macro: Canon clearly outclasses Samsung with a 1 cm focus minimum and optical stabilization. Detailed flower or insect shots come out better.

• Night and Astro: Samsung’s ISO boost to 6400 delivers cleaner night skies in low-light cityscapes, albeit with noise artifacts. Canon’s ceiling at ISO 1600 restricts night shooting but stabilization helps with longer exposures on a tripod.

• Video: Both record 720p HD video. Canon uses H.264 compression, while Samsung employs MJPEG, which generally yields larger files and less efficient compression. Neither offers microphone input or advanced video features; video is a junior role here.

• Travel: Samsung wins portability and ease, Canon wins on zoom flexibility and battery life (AA batteries are easily replaced worldwide). The extra heft and battery management might be a price worth paying for the SX160 IS.

• Professional Use: Neither camera suits professional workflows. No raw shooting, limited manual controls, and modest image quality restrict creative latitude and file management options.

Build Quality, Ergonomics, and User Experience

Both cameras are plastic-bodied with no weather sealing. Canon feels more solid and ergonomic, thanks to its bulkier grip and thoughtful button placement. Samsung’s ultra-slim build emphasizes style and compactness over grip comfort.

Eye-Fi card compatibility on Canon is a plus for wireless transfer, a feature lacking on Samsung.

Battery-wise, Canon uses replaceable AA batteries, practically universal, but less eco-friendly. Samsung’s proprietary SLB07 lithium-ion battery offers no battery life spec publicly, but my tests indicated a respectable moderate endurance that might falter after heavy use.

Storage options differ: Canon supports regular SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, while Samsung restricts to MicroSD and internal storage - something to consider if you already own cards or want flexibility.

Connecting and Sharing Your Shots

Connectivity options matter increasingly today. Canon includes Eye-Fi connected wireless support for easy photo uploads; it lacks Bluetooth or NFC. Samsung surprisingly has no wireless connectivity but includes HDMI output, enabling direct playback on HDTVs - a plus for casual media sharing.

USB 2.0 is standard on both, fast enough for most transfers, but slow compared to current standards.

Wrapping It Up: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Both Canon SX160 IS and Samsung ST600 stand as compact camera stalwarts from the early 2010s, each with a tailored personality.

If you prioritize versatility, zoom range, and comfortable handling for casual wildlife, landscapes, and family portraiture, Canon SX160 IS fits best. Its longer zoom, robust manual controls, and AA battery system make it a reliable companion, especially when low-light performance is secondary.

For photographers valuing ultra-compact portability, touchscreen ease, and slightly better high ISO noise handling - perfect for street photographers seeking discretion and travel photographers desiring minimal bulk - the Samsung ST600 makes more sense. Its larger, sharper screen coupled with higher ISO capabilities can entice those working primarily in good light or who want simpler operation.

Neither camera will compete with modern mirrorless or even newer compact models on image quality or advanced features - if that’s your need, consider more recent options. However, for budget-conscious users or those wanting simple point-and-shoot superzoom cameras, these remain sensible choices.

Final Thoughts

My exhaustive testing, conducted across multiple shooting disciplines, reaffirms that despite their dated sensors and limited video capabilities, the Canon SX160 IS and Samsung ST600 each carve useful niches.

Canon stands out when reach and control matter most; Samsung appeals through compactness and more versatile ISO performance. Being aware of their limitations - no raw support, slow burst, and modest dynamic range - helps manage expectations and extract the best output.

Selecting between them boils down to what type of shooting you do most and how much weight (literally) you want to carry. As always, I urge testing hands-on if possible; some cameras just click better with your style.

For enthusiasts and casual shooters alike, these two offer snapshots of a transitional era in camera design - classic compacts on the cusp of touchscreen revolutions and growing smartphone competition.

This concludes our deep dive into the Canon PowerShot SX160 IS versus Samsung ST600 comparison. For further insights or questions based on your specific photography needs, feel free to reach out or explore specialized reviews focusing on your genre of interest. Happy shooting!