Leica X Vario vs Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      Leica X Vario

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS
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      53
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Leica X Vario and the Canon PowerShot SX160 IS, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Both cameras were introduced in June 2013. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Leica X Vario Highlights

      • 16.1 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 12,500 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points (11 Cross-type)
      • 3.0" 920k dot Fixed Screen
      • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Highlights

      • 16 MP 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • 0.8 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Leica X Vario
      4. Advantage of Canon PowerShot SX160 IS
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Leica X Vario and Canon PowerShot SX160 IS.

      PROS

      Leica X Vario

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      •   Video Capture
      •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Video Capture
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/2000 sec
      •   Light - 291 g (0.64 lb / 10.26 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Leica X Vario

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 450 shots
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/3200 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 380 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Leica X Vario

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   DxO Overall Score - 78
      •   Weight - 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"

      Advantage of Leica X Vario

      Leica X Vario
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica X Vario over Canon PowerShot SX160 IS.

      Leica X Vario vs Canon PowerShot SX160 IS
      Larger Sensor APS-C vs 1/2.3-inch
      Higher Sensor Resolution 16.1 Megapixel vs 16 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 12,500 vs 1,600
      Max Image Resolution 4928 x 3272 vs 4608 x 3456
      RAW Support vs
      Higher Resolution Screen 920k dot vs 230k dot
      Viewfinder Electronic (optional) vs
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 30 sec vs 15 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 5.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
      External Flash Connectivity vs
      Higher Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 vs 1280 x 720
      HDMI Output vs
      Longer Battery Life 450 shots vs 380 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Leica X Vario.

      Leica X1
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      APS-C

      12.2 MP

      Leica X2
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Leica X (Typ 113)
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Leica X-U
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Canon R100
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Panasonic GX9
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      20.3 MP

      Canon A3000 IS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      10 MP

      Sony a9 II
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Panasonic FS42
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.5-inch

      10.1 MP

      Samsung ST80
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.33-inch

      14.2 MP

      Olympus TG-4
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Sony WX5
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.2 MP

      Advantage of Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      Canon SX160 IS
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot SX160 IS over Leica X Vario.

      Leica X Vario vs Canon PowerShot SX160 IS
      Multi Area Autofocus vs
      Center Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Reachs More Telephoto 70 mm vs 448 mm
      Greater Optical Zoom 2.5x vs 16x
      Maximum Aperture at Tele End f/6.4 vs f/5.9
      Image Stabilization vs
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/2000 sec vs 1/3200 sec
      Lighter 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz) vs 291 g (0.64 lb / 10.26 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon PowerShot SX160 IS.

      Canon SX120 IS
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      1/2.5-inch

      10.0 MP

      Canon SX150 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      14.1 MP

      Canon SX130 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon SX170 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Sigma DP2 Quattro
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      APS-C

      29 MP

      Pentax Q-S1
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      1/1.7-inch

      12.4 MP

      Sony a6100
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon 70D
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      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Canon Rebel T5
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      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Canon R7
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      APS-C

      32.5 MP

      Nikon Z30
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      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Leica X Vario Canon PowerShot SX160 IS
        Video Capture
        High Native ISO12,5001,600
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        Built-in Flash
      WEAKNESSES Leica X Vario Canon PowerShot SX160 IS
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Cross-type Focus Points00
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/2000 sec1/3200 sec
        Low Video Resolution1920 x 10801280 x 720
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi Eye-Fi Connection possible
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing
        Short Battery Life450 shots380 shots

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Leica X Vario and Canon PowerShot SX160 IS have 3.0" Fixed screens with 920k dot and 230k dot resolutions respectively.

      Camera does not have a built-in viewfinder but an optional electronic viewfinder can be attached on Leica X Vario.

      Sensor

      Leica X Vario features a 16.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 372.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,500. Canon PowerShot SX160 IS features a 16 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600.

      Photography Features

      Leica X Vario can take pictures up to 4928 x 3272 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4944 x 3272, 4288 x 2856, 3264 x 2160, 2144 x1424, 1632 x 1080 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Canon PowerShot SX160 IS is equipped with DIGIC 4 processor and can take pictures up to 4608 x 3456 resolution.

      Image Stabilization on Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS has an image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Leica X Vario comes with BP-DC8 battery pack with battery life of 450 shots and Canon PowerShot SX160 IS comes with 2 x AA battery pack with battery life of 380 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Cameras have a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec on Leica X Vario, and up to 1/3200 sec on Canon PowerShot SX160 IS. Leica X Vario can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps. Canon PowerShot SX160 IS can shoot continuously up to 0.8 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 3.00 m on Canon PowerShot SX160 IS. Leica X Vario also accepts external flash which can be connected via Shoe Mount. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/2000 sec on Canon PowerShot SX160 IS.

      Physical Parameters

      Leica X Vario body has dimensions of 133 x 73 x 95 mm (5.24 x 2.87 x 3.74") and Canon PowerShot SX160 IS body has dimensions of 111 x 73 x 44 mm (4.37 x 2.87 x 1.73"). Leica X Vario weighs 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz) and Canon PowerShot SX160 IS weighs 291 g (0.64 lb / 10.26 oz).

      Leica X Vario

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      133 mm

      73 mm

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      111 mm

      73 mm

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      73 mm

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      73 mm

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      Size comparisons of Leica X Vario and Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      Leica X Vario and Canon PowerShot SX160 IS for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Leica X Vario

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      GOOD
      71
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      48
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Leica X Vario

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      AVERAGE
      62
      •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 450 shots
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 380 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Leica X Vario

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      POOR
      53
      •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 450 shots
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 380 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Leica X Vario

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      GOOD
      79
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      GOOD
      73
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/2000 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Leica X Vario

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      GOOD
      77
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)
      GOOD
      82
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 291 g (0.64 lb / 10.26 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Leica X Vario

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      GOOD
      75
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 450 shots
      GOOD
      84
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 291 g (0.64 lb / 10.26 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 380 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Leica X Vario and Canon PowerShot SX160 IS and give them scores of 58 and 53 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Leica X Vario

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      OVERALL
      58
      OVERALL
      53

      Sensor

      Leica X Vario

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      GOOD
      72
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 78
      POOR
      46
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Leica X Vario

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      AVERAGE
      56
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/3200 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/2000 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Leica X Vario

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      BAD
      14
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720

      Focusing

      Leica X Vario

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      AVERAGE
      58
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      70
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Leica X Vario

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
      POOR
      52
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Leica X Vario

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      POOR
      44
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Leica X Vario

      Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 450 shots
      POOR
      45
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 291 g (0.64 lb / 10.26 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 380 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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