Scored using Cameras Methodology v1.0
Cameras Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Cameras Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Cameras Methodology v1.0

Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Review | 108 Data compared

Avg. price:~£120Sensor size:1/2.3"Weight:291 gBattery life (CIPA):140 shots

Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Review: Compare 108 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Cameras category and whether it is worth buying.

4.3

Overall score

Score
4.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the camera's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best cameras on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

90%

3.8

Technical score

10%

8.8

User score

â–¼Worse than 83% of cameras
3.8

Technical score

Technical score
3.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Cameras category across these key areas: Sensor & Image, Photo Features, Video & Audio, Display & Design, Battery & Power, Connectivity & Storage.
When it matters
When you want to compare cameras based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

28%

4.3

Sensor & Image

25%

3.0

Photo Features

18%

3.9

Video & Audio

14%

5.5

Display & Design

8%

3.1

Battery & Power

7%

2.6

Connectivity & Storage

â–¼Worse than 90% of cameras
8.8

User score

User score
8.8/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.3

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on 2,065 buyer reviews from online shops.
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–²Better than 89% of cameras
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Technical Specifications of camera Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

Technical score
Technical score
3.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Cameras category across these key areas: Sensor & Image, Photo Features, Video & Audio, Display & Design, Battery & Power, Connectivity & Storage.
When it matters
When you want to compare cameras based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

28%

4.3

Sensor & Image

25%

3.0

Photo Features

18%

3.9

Video & Audio

14%

5.5

Display & Design

8%

3.1

Battery & Power

7%

2.6

Connectivity & Storage

3.8
User score
User score
8.8/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.3

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on 2,065 buyer reviews from online shops.
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
8.8
Popularity
Popularity
10.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera.
When it matters
When you want to see which cameras attract the most buyer attention and review activity.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Popularity:
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS has a popularity score of 10, which is higher than 91.7% of cameras.
10
Value for money
Value for money
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the camera's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

60%

4.3

Overall score

40%

9.9

Price

6.0
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor size
1/2.3"
This camera uses a sensor classified as 1/2.3"; it is smaller than the sensor in 60.5% of cameras and the same size as the sensor in 38.1% of cameras.
Main camera megapixels
16 MP
Main camera megapixels
16 MP
This camera has a sensor resolution of 16 MP, which is lower than that of 61.9% of cameras and equal to that of 10.1% of cameras.
Main camera pixel size
1.34 µm
Main camera pixel size
1.34 µm
This camera has sensor pixels measuring 1.34 µm, which are smaller than those in 74.1% of cameras and the same size as those in 14% of cameras.
Base ISO
100
Base ISO
100
This camera has a base ISO of 100 which is higher than that of 19.9% of cameras and equal to that of 52.4% of cameras.
Max ISO
ISO 1600 ISO
Max ISO
ISO 1,600
This camera reaches a maximum sensitivity of ISO 1,600, which is lower than that of 85.9% of cameras and equal to that of 13.2% of cameras.
Show more
Lens mount
N/A
Built-in focus motor
no
Built-in focus motor
no
This camera does not have a built-in focus motor. 11% of cameras have a built-in focus motor.
N. of focus points
9
N. of focus points
9
This camera has 9 focus points, fewer than the number offered by 67.1% of cameras and equal to the number offered by 26% of cameras.
Phase-detection autofocus (photos)
no
Phase-detection autofocus (photos)
no
This camera does not support phase-detection autofocus for photos. 37.5% of cameras support phase-detection autofocus for photos.
AF tracking
yes
AF tracking
yes
This camera supports AF tracking. This feature is available on 88% of cameras.
Show more
Max video resolution
1,280 px
Max video resolution
1,280 px
This camera supports 1,280 px video recording which is lower quality than that of 71.4% of cameras and equal to that of 18.5% of cameras.
Video bitrate
25 Mbps
Video bitrate
25 Mbps
This camera has a video bitrate of 25 Mbps which is lower than that of 61% of cameras and equal to that of 1.4% of cameras.
Video bit depth
8 bit
Video bit depth
8 bit
This camera supports video at 8 bit, a bit depth higher than that of 7.8% of cameras and equal to that of 80.6% of cameras.
Video chroma subsampling
4:2:0
Video chroma subsampling
4:2:0
This camera supports 4:2:0 video chroma subsampling which is more advanced than that of 7.8% of cameras and equal to that of 69.9% of cameras.
Video codecs
H.264
Show more
Type
compact
Weight
291 g
Weight
291 g
This camera weighs 291 g which is lighter than 63.1% of cameras.
Width
111 mm
Width
111 mm
This camera has a width of 111 mm which is narrower than 63.6% of cameras and equal to that of 0.6% of cameras.
Height
72.5 mm
Height
72.5 mm
This camera has a height of 72.5 mm which is shorter than 51.3% of cameras and equal to that of 0.1% of cameras.
Thickness
44.1 mm
Thickness
44.1 mm
This camera has a thickness of 44.1 mm which is thinner than 52.3% of cameras.
Show more
Battery life (CIPA)
140 shots
Battery life (CIPA)
140 shots
This camera has a CIPA-rated battery life of 140 shots, which is shorter than that of 99% of cameras and equal to that of 0.1% of cameras.
380 with Ni-MH AA.
Battery capacity
N/A
Removable battery
yes
Removable battery
yes
This camera has a removable battery, and 98.7% of cameras include one.
Uses 2x AA batteries.
USB Power Delivery (PD)
no
USB Power Delivery (PD)
no
This camera does not support USB Power Delivery. 10.1% of cameras support USB Power Delivery.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This camera does not support Wi-Fi. 47.9% of cameras include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
no
Bluetooth connectivity
no
This camera does not have Bluetooth. 22.7% of cameras support Bluetooth.
Bluetooth version
N/A
USB Type-C
no
USB Type-C
no
This camera does not include USB Type-C. 14.6% of cameras use USB-C.
Show more

Canon PowerShot SX160 IS vs the average camera

246810TotalDisplay & DesignSensor & ImagePhoto FeaturesVideo & AudioBattery & PowerConnectivity & Storage
  • 104 g lighter
    Weight
    291 g
    This camera is lighter than the average camera (291 g vs 395 g). The average camera weighs 395 g.
    291 g vs 395 g
  • 10.2% higher user score
    User score
    8.8/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera.
    When it matters
    When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Canon PowerShot SX160 IS
    the average camera
    Canon PowerShot SX160 IS has a higher user score than the average camera (8.82 vs 8.000).
    8.82 vs 8
  • 5.18x more popular
    Canon PowerShot SX160 IS is more popular than the average camera (10 vs 1.9).
    10 vs 1.93
  • 2.42x cheaper
    Canon PowerShot SX160 IS is cheaper than the average camera (£120 vs £290).
    £120 vs £290
  • 30 min longer recording time
    Max video recording time
    60 min
    This camera records continuously for longer than the average camera (60 min vs 30 min). The average camera records for 30 min.
    29:59 in HD
    60 min vs 30 min
  • 10.2% higher user score
    User score
    8.8/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera.
    When it matters
    When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Canon PowerShot SX160 IS
    the average camera
    Canon PowerShot SX160 IS has a higher user score than the average camera (8.82 vs 8.000).
    8.82 vs 8
  • 5.18x more popular
    Canon PowerShot SX160 IS is more popular than the average camera (10 vs 1.9).
    10 vs 1.93
  • 2.42x cheaper
    Canon PowerShot SX160 IS is cheaper than the average camera (£120 vs £290).
    £120 vs £290
  • 104 g lighter
    Weight
    291 g
    This camera is lighter than the average camera (291 g vs 395 g). The average camera weighs 395 g.
    291 g vs 395 g
  • 30 min longer recording time
    Max video recording time
    60 min
    This camera records continuously for longer than the average camera (60 min vs 30 min). The average camera records for 30 min.
    29:59 in HD
    60 min vs 30 min
  • Smaller sensor
    Sensor size
    1/2.3"
    This camera has a smaller sensor than the average camera (1/2.3" vs APS-C).
    1/2.3" vs APS-C
  • 4.9 fps slower mechanical burst
    Continuous shooting (mechanical)
    0.8 fps
    This camera has a slower mechanical burst than the average camera (0.8 fps vs 5.7 fps). The average camera reaches 5.7 fps.
    0.8 fps vs 5.7 fps
  • 2 µm smaller sensor pixels
    Main camera pixel size
    1.34 µm
    This camera has smaller sensor pixels than the average camera (1.3 µm vs 3.34 µm). The average sensor pixel size is 3.34 µm.
    1.34 µm vs 3.34 µm
  • Lacks HDR mode
    HDR mode
    no
    This camera does not support HDR mode, the average camera does. 55.1% of cameras include HDR mode.
  • Lower video resolution
    Max video resolution
    1,280 px
    This camera records lower-resolution video than the average camera (1280 px vs 1920 px). The average camera records at 1920 px.
    1280 px vs 1920 px
  • No hot shoe
    Hot shoe
    no
    This camera does not have a hot shoe, the average camera does.
  • 190 shots fewer shots per charge
    Battery life (CIPA)
    140 shots
    This camera has shorter battery life than the average camera (140 shots vs 330 shots). The average camera delivers 330 shots per charge.
    380 with Ni-MH AA.
    140 shots vs 330 shots
  • No RAW photo capture
    RAW photo capture
    no
    This camera does not support RAW photo capture, the average camera does. 62.8% of cameras support RAW formats.
  • 3.2% worse value for money
    Canon PowerShot SX160 IS has a worse value-for-money score than the average camera (6.01 vs 6.2).
    6.01 vs 6.2
  • No hot shoe
    Hot shoe
    no
    This camera does not have a hot shoe, the average camera does.
  • Smaller sensor
    Sensor size
    1/2.3"
    This camera has a smaller sensor than the average camera (1/2.3" vs APS-C).
    1/2.3" vs APS-C
  • 2 µm smaller sensor pixels
    Main camera pixel size
    1.34 µm
    This camera has smaller sensor pixels than the average camera (1.3 µm vs 3.34 µm). The average sensor pixel size is 3.34 µm.
    1.34 µm vs 3.34 µm
  • Lacks HDR mode
    HDR mode
    no
    This camera does not support HDR mode, the average camera does. 55.1% of cameras include HDR mode.
  • 4,800 ISO lower maximum sensitivity limit
    Max ISO
    1,600 ISO
    This camera has a lower maximum sensitivity than the average camera (1600 ISO vs 6400 ISO). The average camera reaches a maximum sensitivity of 6400 ISO.
    1,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
  • Lower sensor resolution
    Main camera megapixels
    16 MP
    This camera has a lower sensor resolution than the average camera (16 MP vs 16.2 MP). The average camera has a sensor resolution of 16.2 MP.
    16 MP vs 16.2 MP
  • 1 older
    Release date
    2012
    This camera is older than the average camera (2012 vs 2013). The average camera was released in 2013.
    September 2012
    2,012 vs 2,013
  • 4.9 fps slower mechanical burst
    Continuous shooting (mechanical)
    0.8 fps
    This camera has a slower mechanical burst than the average camera (0.8 fps vs 5.7 fps). The average camera reaches 5.7 fps.
    0.8 fps vs 5.7 fps
  • No RAW photo capture
    RAW photo capture
    no
    This camera does not support RAW photo capture, the average camera does. 62.8% of cameras support RAW formats.
  • 14 fewer AF points
    N. of focus points
    9
    This camera has fewer focus points than the average camera (9 vs 23). The average camera offers 23 focus points.
    9 vs 23
  • 0.5 stops less CIPA-rated stabilization
    Image stabilization rating (CIPA)
    3.5 stops
    This camera offers less CIPA-rated stabilization than the average camera (3.5 stops vs 4 stops). The average camera reaches 4 stops.
    3.5 stops vs 4 stops
  • Lower video resolution
    Max video resolution
    1,280 px
    This camera records lower-resolution video than the average camera (1280 px vs 1920 px). The average camera records at 1920 px.
    1280 px vs 1920 px
  • 5 Mbps lower video bitrate
    Video bitrate
    25 Mbps
    This camera has a lower video bitrate than the average camera (25 Mbps vs 30 Mbps). The average camera records at 30 Mbps.
    25 Mbps vs 30 Mbps
  • 190 shots fewer shots per charge
    Battery life (CIPA)
    140 shots
    This camera has shorter battery life than the average camera (140 shots vs 330 shots). The average camera delivers 330 shots per charge.
    380 with Ni-MH AA.
    140 shots vs 330 shots
  • Older HDMI version
    HDMI version
    1.3
    This camera uses HDMI 1.3, while the average camera uses HDMI 1.4.
    1.3 vs 1.4

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

E
ephotozine.com
20/11/2012
Summary of the review
P
pocket-lint.com
16/04/2013
Summary of the review
R
reviewcentralme.com
03/12/2013
Summary of the review
A
annestravels.net
06/02/2016
Summary of the review
F
firstpost.com
25/10/2012
Summary of the review
C
chip.de
27/12/2012
Summary of the review
C
connect-living.de
15/01/2013
Summary of the review
C
camerarace.com
21/06/2013
Summary of the review
L
lesnumeriques.com
21/08/2012
Summary of the review
D
dailymotion.com
13/01/2014
Summary of the review
T
tomshw.it
21/11/2012
Summary of the review
P
portablegear.nl
n.v.t.
Summary of the review

Third-party reviews

Based on 2,065 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this

What we like about Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

  • Versatile 16x optical zoom range with effective image stabilisation
  • Full manual exposure controls (aperture, shutter speed, ISO) rarely found at this price point
  • Uses standard AA batteries which are convenient for travel and easy to replace
  • Intuitive design with large, well-labeled buttons and easy-to-use dial controls
  • Compact and lightweight build, making it highly portable for everyday use
  • Impressive macro performance and good daylight picture quality for a budget camera

What we don't like about Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

  • High battery consumption, especially with standard alkaline batteries (NiMH rechargeables recommended)
  • Significant image noise and drop in quality at ISO settings above 400
  • Slow performance including shutter lag and long recovery time between flash shots
  • Poor low-light autofocus and overall image clarity in dim environments
  • Low-resolution 3.0-inch LCD screen with limited viewing angles
  • Lack of an optical viewfinder and no provision for an external flash

Verdict

The Canon PowerShot SX160 IS is a budget-friendly compact superzoom featuring a 16.0-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor and a 16x optical zoom lens with a 28–448mm equivalent focal range. It offers a versatile shooting experience with full manual controls (P/A/S/M), a 3.0-inch LCD screen, and 720p HD video recording with stereo sound. Its main advantages include the powerful focal range with optical image stabilisation, ease of use for beginners, and the convenience of being powered by standard AA batteries. However, it suffers from slow performance with noticeable shutter lag, high image noise at ISO settings above 400, and a relatively low-resolution screen with poor viewing angles.

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