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Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX7V

Portability
86
Imaging
39
Features
45
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
37
Overall
37

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX7V Key Specs

Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 291g - 111 x 73 x 44mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Older Model is Canon SX150 IS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX170 IS
Sony HX7V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 208g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Introduced July 2011
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Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX7V Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX7V, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the HX7V (16MP) is pretty similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX160 IS was revealed 24 months after the HX7V which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the SX160 IS scores vs the HX7V in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Sony HX7V

 SX160 IS HX7V 
IntroducedJune 2013July 2011More modern by 24 months
Focus manually Very precise focus

Reasons to pick Sony HX7V over the Canon SX160 IS

 HX7V SX160 IS 
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Sony HX7V

 SX160 IS HX7V 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX7V Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX160 IS features physical measurements of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") with a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) while the Sony HX7V has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX7V in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the SX160 IS and the HX7V.

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX7V size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX160 IS and HX7V is 86 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX7V top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX7V Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to see the difference between sensor sizes just by reviewing a spec sheet. The image here may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX160 IS and HX7V.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of photos although you really should consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The more modern SX160 IS will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX7V sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX7V Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX7V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography information
Sony HX7V Portrait photography information
46
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
resolution is good (16MP)
comes with face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
29
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX160 IS
Street photography with Sony HX7V
59
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (291g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Sports photography information
Sony HX7V Sports photography information
50
amazing zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
good battery life (380 CIPA)
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography advice
Sony HX7V Travel photography advice
68
good battery life (380 per charge)
lighter than average (291g)
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
great reach (448mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
67
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
missing Time Lapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography information
Sony HX7V Landscape photography information
51
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
good battery life (380 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
42
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX160 IS
Vlogging with Sony HX7V
31
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than average (291g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic socket
32
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
missing mic socket
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Canon SX160 IS vs Sony HX7V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Sony HX7V
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-06-21 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD XtraFine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 4.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 291g (0.64 lb) 208g (0.46 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 380 shots -
Battery type AA -
Battery ID 2 x AA NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $199 $499