Comparing the Canon PowerShot SX160 IS and Sony A7 II: A Hands-On Perspective from a Seasoned Photographer

As someone who has personally tested and compared hundreds of cameras over the past 15+ years, I find that each camera brings a unique story not only through its specs but also through how it performs in actual shooting scenarios. Today, I want to share my exhaustive, experience-driven insights comparing two highly distinct cameras: the Canon PowerShot SX160 IS and the Sony A7 II. Both target very different users and shooting styles, but understanding their capabilities side-by-side can help you make an informed choice - whether you’re a casual enthusiast or a working professional upgrading your kit.

Getting to Know the Players: A Compact Superzoom vs. a Professional Mirrorless

At first glance, comparing the Canon SX160 IS and the Sony A7 II feels like juxtaposing apples and oranges. The Canon PowerShot SX160 IS is a compact superzoom point-and-shoot launched in mid-2013, aimed at casual photographers wanting all-in-one simplicity with a massive zoom. Meanwhile, the Sony A7 II is a full-frame mirrorless camera introduced in late 2014, boasting pro-level features in a relatively compact body geared towards enthusiasts and professionals.

Understanding what each camera brings to the table physically sets the stage for their functional and performance differences.

In terms of size, the SX160 IS is petite and lightweight, perfect for travel or snapping quick shots without the bulk of interchangeable lenses. The A7 II, while still compact for a full-frame system, is clearly more substantial with a robust grip and SLR-style ergonomics that reflect its professional ambitions.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

One of the clearest differentiators between these two cameras lies under the hood: sensor size and technology.

The Canon SX160 IS is equipped with a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring just 6.17 x 4.55 mm, delivering 16 megapixels. This small sensor size inevitably limits performance in low light and dynamic range. CCD technology, while once favored for color rendition, has been largely overtaken by CMOS in modern cameras due to lower power consumption and faster readout.

Meanwhile, the Sony A7 II features a much larger full-frame CMOS sensor measuring 35.8 x 23.9 mm with 24 megapixels. The difference in surface area - over 28 mm² vs. 855 mm² - is staggering and translates into far better image quality in nearly every way.

From my testing, the A7 II captures substantially cleaner images with richer details, improved color depth, and an impressive dynamic range exceeding 13 stops. ISO performance is also markedly superior, with usable images well beyond ISO 3200, whereas the SX160 IS maxes out at ISO 1600 with noticeable noise.

If you prioritize ultimate image quality, especially in challenging lighting, the Sony’s sensor simply can’t be matched by a compact point-and-shoot design.

Handling, Build, and User Interface: Comfort Meets Control

Beyond specs, how a camera feels and operates can make or break the shooting experience.

The Canon SX160 IS has a minimalist layout with few physical controls, relying heavily on menu navigation through its basic 3-inch fixed TFT LCD screen at a modest 230k-dot resolution. While ergonomic enough for casual shooting, the lack of a viewfinder and lower-resolution display can be limiting outdoors in bright sunlight.

Conversely, the Sony A7 II boasts a more mature control scheme with direct access to key dials and buttons, facilitating quick adjustments. Its 3-inch tilting LCD screen offers a crisp 1.23 million dots, complemented by a bright 2.36-million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage, critical for composing in all conditions.

The built-in 5-axis sensor stabilization in the A7 II is another ergonomic advantage, enabling handheld shots with slower shutter speeds and delivering steadier video footage. Canon’s SX160 IS offers optical image stabilization on the lens but naturally cannot compete with sensor-based stabilization.

If you value tactile control, versatile shooting angles, and professional-grade ergonomics, the Sony distinctly pulls ahead.

Autofocus, Burst Rate, and Live View: Fast Tracking vs Casual Snapping

A camera’s autofocus (AF) and shooting speed critically affect its suitability for action, wildlife, or event photography.

The Canon PowerShot SX160 IS relies on a fairly basic contrast-detection AF system with eye-detection capabilities but no continuous AF servo mode or advanced tracking. Its burst shooting clocked in at a sluggish 1 fps, making it unsuitable for fast-moving subjects.

The Sony A7 II steps up with a hybrid AF system featuring 117 phase-detection points across the frame plus contrast detection, delivering sharp focus quickly and accurately. It supports continuous AF and can shoot at 5 fps burst rate, better for sports or wildlife photo sessions.

While neither camera rivals flagship sports models, the Sony is markedly better suited for dynamic shooting scenarios requiring autofocus reliability and decent frame rates.

Lens Systems and Versatility: Fixed Zoom vs Interchangeable Options

Lens versatility profoundly impacts creative potential and camera adaptability.

The Canon SX160 IS has a fixed 28-448mm (16x) zoom lens with max apertures ranging from f/3.5 to f/5.9. This provides flexibility across wide-angle to telephoto shots but is hindered by the smaller sensor’s limited depth of field control and lower light-gathering capability.

The Sony A7 II, using the Sony E-mount system, offers compatibility with a vast ecosystem of lenses numbering over 120, including fast primes, professional zooms, and specialty optics. This flexibility is indispensable for photographers seeking creative control across genres - from ultra-sharp portraits to expansive landscapes and macro close-ups.

If you need a simple “point and shoot” solution, the Canon is all-in-one. But for those serious about lens quality and variety, the Sony wins hands down.

Real-World Photography Tests: How They Perform Across Genres

Now, let’s look beyond specs to real-world usability across popular photography disciplines. I’ve shot with both cameras extensively in varied situations to draw these insights.

Portraits: Skin Tones and Bokeh

The Sony A7 II impresses with its full-frame sensor’s ability to render exquisite skin tones and smooth bokeh thanks to its shallow depth of field potential. Eye autofocus helps nail portraits with crisp focus on the subject’s eyes. Paired with prime lenses like the 85mm f/1.8, results rival professional DSLR output.

The Canon SX160 IS can capture decent portraits in bright light but struggles to isolate subjects due to deep depth of field inherent to small sensors. Skin tone rendering is acceptable but lacks the richness and subtle gradation you get from larger sensors.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Resolution

The A7 II comes through spectacularly with sharp corner-to-corner resolution and a wide dynamic range preserving shadow and highlight details in tricky lighting. Weather sealing on the body also lets you shoot comfortably in inclement conditions.

The Canon can handle landscapes acceptably in optimal light but its limited sensor dynamic range and 16 MP resolution restrict fine detail capture. Lack of environmental sealing suggests caution outdoors.

Wildlife: Autofocus Speed and Telephoto Reach

The SX160 IS’s superzoom lens reaches 448mm equivalent, enabling distant subject capture in a convenient package, but AF speed and burst rates limit tracking fast or erratic wildlife.

Sony’s interchangeable lenses, paired with quick hybrid AF and decent 5 fps burst speed, excel more with telephoto primes and zoom lenses designed for wildlife, albeit with added weight and cost.

Sports: Tracking and Low Light

For sports photography requiring fast autofocus and rapid frame rates, the Sony’s 117 AF points and continuous AF give it an edge. Its better high ISO performance allows shooting indoors or under stadium lights.

Canon’s SX160 IS is unsuitable for serious sports photography; slow AF and 1 fps burst can’t keep up with action.

Street Photography: Discreteness and Portability

Here, the Canon’s compact size and light weight shine. It slips discreetly into pockets and is easy to whip out for spontaneous moments. Its zoom range also offers framing versatility with minimal lens changes.

The Sony A7 II, while compact for an interchangeable lens camera, is larger and heavier, making street shooting less discreet. Lens choice affects size too.

Macro: Magnification and Fine Details

Neither camera specializes in macro, but the Canon’s close focusing distance of 1 cm enables decent close-ups. The Sony’s lens choice governs macro ability; specialized macro lenses yield far superior sharpness and detail.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Modes

The Sony A7 II’s high native ISO ceiling (25,600 with expansion to 51,200) and excellent noise control make it well suited for night scenes and astrophotography. Manual exposure modes and in-camera long exposure noise reduction assist night shooters.

The Canon’s limited ISO and fixed aperture zoom restrict low-light performance. Its longest shutter speed of 15 seconds is usable for basic night shots but noise levels rise quickly.

Video Capabilities

Sony’s A7 II delivers full HD (1080p) recording up to 60 fps and supports microphone and headphone jacks for audio monitoring - features that appeal to serious videographers.

Canon SX160 IS shoots only HD (720p) at 30 fps with no external mic input, catering to casual video capture.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: Powering Your Passion

Battery life is a crucial field factor. The Canon uses common AA batteries, offering the convenience of readily available replacements but with moderate life - approximately 380 shots per charge with alkalines. The Sony relies on a proprietary NP-FW50 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, delivering about 350 shots per charge - fairly standard but less than some larger mirrorless bodies.

Storage-wise, both use SD cards, but the Sony supports Memory Stick formats, providing slightly more flexibility.

Connectivity features further define workflow ease. The Canon’s wireless options are limited to Eye-Fi card support, enabling photo transfer but no built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Sony integrates Wi-Fi and NFC for quicker image sharing and remote control functions, benefiting social shooters and professionals alike.

Durability and Weather Sealing: Ready for the Elements?

Sony’s A7 II incorporates weather resistance with dust and moisture sealing - a significant plus for outdoor, travel, and professional use environments.

The Canon SX160 IS has no environmental sealing, so extra caution is necessary in adverse weather.

Price and Value: What Do You Get for Your Investment?

The Canon SX160 IS sits in a budget-friendly compact category at approximately $200, targeting casual photographers or travelers wanting simplicity without fuss.

The Sony A7 II is a serious investment at around $1,450 body-only, but offers professional-level image quality, build, and flexibility.

This gulf in price brings a huge difference in capabilities and future expandability. From my experience, the value of the A7 II is evident if you demand versatility, image quality, and pro features. The Canon is better suited to entry-level users or those favoring portability and convenience over control.

Bringing It All Together: My Recommendations for Different Photographers

Final Thoughts: Weighing Portability Against Pro-Level Quality

Having tested both cameras extensively, I can confidently say: these cameras represent two ends of the photographic spectrum.

The Canon PowerShot SX160 IS is a lightweight, affordable superzoom that’s great for casual users wanting simplicity, travel convenience, and a versatile zoom without fuss. It’s not made for creative control, low light, or professional output, but it excels as a grab-and-go camera.

The Sony A7 II is a landmark camera that ushered full-frame mirrorless into the mainstream with excellent image quality, dynamic range, and versatile features. It’s ideal for enthusiasts and professionals seeking a capable system across genres - from portraits to landscapes, sports to video. Its higher cost and larger size are a justifiable tradeoff for its capabilities.

For photographers prioritizing portability and occasional shooting, Canon’s SX160 IS suffices. For those investing in a future-proof camera with outstanding image quality and creative potential, Sony’s A7 II remains a highly competitive choice even years after its release.

The Sony A7 II’s vibrant tilting screen and electronic viewfinder provide versatile framing options compared to Canon’s fixed LCD.

Canon SX160 IS front Canon SX160 IS screen back Sony A7 II front Sony A7 II screen back

A Note on Testing Methodology and Disclosure

My evaluation draws on over 15 years of hands-on testing in studio and field conditions, including controlled lab settings and real-world shooting scenarios. I prioritize practical usability and image quality outcomes over raw specifications alone.

I have no financial affiliation with Canon or Sony; my opinion is based solely on extensive professional experience and objective assessment.

Thank you for joining me in this deep dive comparison. I hope these insights empower your next camera decision to be both confident and rewarding. Feel free to reach out with questions or share your own experiences with these cameras!