Canon SX160 IS vs Sony H55
86 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


92 Imaging
36 Features
28 Overall
32
Canon SX160 IS vs Sony H55 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
- Revealed June 2013
- Previous Model is Canon SX150 IS
- Newer Model is Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 200g - 103 x 58 x 29mm
- Announced June 2010

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony H55 Overview
Let's take a closer look at the Canon SX160 IS versus Sony H55, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the H55 (14MP) is relatively close and they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The SX160 IS was released 3 years after the H55 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SX160 IS scores vs the H55 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony H55 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX160 IS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55. The complete galleries are available at Canon SX160 IS Gallery & Sony H55 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Sony H55
SX160 IS | H55 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | June 2013 | ![]() | June 2010 | More modern by 37 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing |
Reasons to pick Sony H55 over the Canon SX160 IS
H55 | SX160 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Sony H55
SX160 IS | H55 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen size |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Canon SX160 IS vs Sony H55 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX160 IS comes with external dimensions of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") having a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) whilst the Sony H55 has specifications of 103mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).
Check the Canon SX160 IS versus Sony H55 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the SX160 IS vs the H55.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX160 IS and H55 is 86 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony H55 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes merely by viewing specifications. The picture below should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX160 IS and H55.
Plainly, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Canon SX160 IS to provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more modern SX160 IS will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony H55 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony H55 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Sony |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX160 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2013-06-21 | 2010-06-16 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 4 | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/3200s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 3.80 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Slow Syncro, Off |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/2000s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 291g (0.64 pounds) | 200g (0.44 pounds) |
Dimensions | 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") | 103 x 58 x 29mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
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 photos | - |
Battery format | AA | - |
Battery model | 2 x AA | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/ portrait2) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Price at launch | $199 | $235 |