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Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX30V

Portability
86
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX30V 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
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX150 IS
  • Later Model is Canon SX170 IS
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched February 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony HX20V
  • Refreshed by Sony HX50V
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Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX30V Overview

Below is a in depth overview of the Canon SX160 IS and Sony HX30V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is pretty well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX160 IS was released 16 months later than the HX30V which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SX160 IS grades vs the HX30V in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Sony HX30V

 SX160 IS HX30V 
LaunchedJune 2013February 2012More recent by 16 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Canon SX160 IS

 HX30V SX160 IS 
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Sony HX30V

 SX160 IS HX30V 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera often, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX160 IS features external measurements of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) while the Sony HX30V has dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX160 IS and Sony HX30V in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the SX160 IS vs the HX30V.

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SX160 IS and HX30V is 86 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements simply by checking specifications. The photograph underneath might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SX160 IS and HX30V.

Plainly, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Sony HX30V to give more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots much more aggressively. The newer SX160 IS will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography details
Sony HX30V Portrait photography details
46
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
45
you can focus manually
good megapixels (18MP)
comes with face detection focus
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Street photography details
Sony HX30V Street photography details
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (291g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (254 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Sports photography camera
51
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
good battery life (380 CIPA)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography advice
Sony HX30V Travel photography advice
69
good battery life (380 CIPA)
lighter than competition (291g)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
very long reach (448mm)
no Time Lapse recording
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than others (254 grams)
good megapixels (18MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography advice
Sony HX30V Landscape photography advice
51
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good battery life (380 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
50
you can focus manually
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Vlogging information
Sony HX30V Vlogging information
31
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
lighter than competition (291g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic port
34
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (254 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of external mic support
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Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Sony HX30V
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-06-21 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT Color LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/2000 seconds -
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 291g (0.64 lb) 254g (0.56 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 320 photos
Battery style AA Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at release $199 $420