Clicky

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony a1

Portability
86
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Canon SX160 IS
(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
  • Launched June 2013
  • Superseded the Canon SX150 IS
  • Later Model is Canon SX170 IS
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Introduced January 2021
Photography Glossary

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony a1 Overview

Following is a in-depth comparison of the Canon SX160 IS and Sony a1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Canon and Sony. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the SX160 IS (16MP) and a1 (50MP) and the SX160 IS (1/2.3") and a1 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor sizing.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The SX160 IS was announced 8 years before the a1 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Canon SX160 IS being a Compact camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SX160 IS matches up against the a1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Sony a1

 SX160 IS a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Canon SX160 IS

 a1 SX160 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2021June 2013More modern by 92 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k230kCrisper display (+1210k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Sony a1

 SX160 IS a1 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX160 IS features exterior dimensions of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") having a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) while the Sony a1 has proportions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Check the Canon SX160 IS and Sony a1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the SX160 IS against the a1.

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony a1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SX160 IS and a1 is 86 and 61 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to envision the gap between sensor sizes only by reviewing a spec sheet. The image below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SX160 IS and a1.

As you can see, each of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SX160 IS with its tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony a1 will offer you more detail with its extra 34MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics more aggressively. The more aged SX160 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography information
Sony a1 Portrait photography information
46
has manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000 seconds)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
88
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/400s)
amazing resolution (50 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Street photography info
Sony a1 Street photography info
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (291 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
79
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
boasts touch to focus
environment sealing
above average ISO range (32,000)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX160 IS
Sports photography with Sony a1
51
excellent zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
great battery (380 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
90
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
high max frames per second (30.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing resolution (50MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
good battery power (530 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography features
Sony a1 Travel photography features
69
great battery (380 CIPA)
lighter than others (291g)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
great zoom (448mm)
missing Timelapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
73
good battery power (530 per charge)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
amazing resolution (50 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography information
Sony a1 Landscape photography information
51
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
great battery (380 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
88
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing resolution (50MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (32,000)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
good battery power (530 per charge)
two card slots
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony a1 as a Vlogging camera
31
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than others (291g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone jack
36
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (7680 x 4320 pxls)
includes microphone socket
display isn't selfie friendly
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Sony a1
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISSony Alpha a1
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Sony Alpha a1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2013-06-21 2021-01-26
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 50MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 8640 x 5760
Highest native ISO 1600 32000
Highest boosted ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 759
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Total lenses - 133
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.9x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/8000s
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 30.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/2000s 1/400s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 7680x4320
Video file format H.264 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 291 grams (0.64 lb) 737 grams (1.62 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
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 shots 530 shots
Type of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots 1 2
Retail price $199 $6,498