• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 224.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon S120 advantages over Canon 160

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.20 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.2
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 77k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.8 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 160 advantages over Canon S120

  • Less expensive
    $120 vs $450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    224 mm vs 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 29 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    127g vs 217g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 160

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm XF1

Canon S120
Fujifilm XF1
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon 160
Fujifilm XF1
  • $340
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony WX80

Canon S120
Sony WX80
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Canon 160
Sony WX80
  • $340
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon 130 IS

Canon S120
Canon 130 IS
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $420
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Canon 160
Canon 130 IS
  • $340
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $420
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Olympus XZ-10

Canon S120
Olympus XZ-10
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Hot shoe
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Canon 160
Olympus XZ-10
  • $340
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Fujifilm XQ1

Canon S120
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $699
  • 2/3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger sensor
Canon 160
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $340
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $699
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Compare Other Cameras?