Clicky

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W550

Portability
86
Imaging
39
Features
45
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W550 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
  • Old Model is Canon SX150 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX170 IS
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Released July 2011
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W550 Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W550, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the W550 (14MP) is very close and they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The SX160 IS was launched 24 months later than the W550 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX160 IS being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short summary of how the SX160 IS scores versus the W550 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Sony W550

 SX160 IS W550 
ReleasedJune 2013July 2011Fresher by 24 months
Manual focus Very accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Canon SX160 IS

 W550 SX160 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Sony W550

 SX160 IS W550 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX160 IS provides exterior dimensions of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") and a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) while the Sony W550 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W550 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the SX160 IS versus the W550.

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W550 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SX160 IS and W550 is 86 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizing only by viewing specifications. The photograph here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX160 IS and W550.

Plainly, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Canon SX160 IS to result in more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more recent SX160 IS provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography info
Sony W550 Portrait photography info
46
manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
resolution is good (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Street photography factors
Sony W550 Street photography factors
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (291 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Sports photography factors
Sony W550 Sports photography factors
50
incredible zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
good battery (380 shots)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX160 IS
Travel photography with Sony W550
68
good battery (380 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (291g)
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
very long reach (448mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
65
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Landscape photography features
Sony W550 Landscape photography features
51
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
good battery (380 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
42
pretty wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Vlogging factors
Sony W550 Vlogging factors
31
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (291 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic socket
29
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic jack
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Canon SX160 IS vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Sony W550
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Released 2013-06-21 2011-07-24
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Color LCD Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/2000 seconds -
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 291 gr (0.64 lb) 110 gr (0.24 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 images -
Form of battery AA -
Battery model 2 x AA NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single -
Price at launch $199 $119