Canon PowerShot SX160 IS review

Canon PowerShots have always had a good reputation with comparative newcomers to the art of photography who want to try everything from basic point 'n' shooters to bridge cameras that allow you more freedom of expression and manual controls.

The PowerShot SX160 IS continues this tradition by creating a comparatively lightweight (290g) model that remains comparatively robust (albeit made of toughened plastic) and has a user-friendly array of controls that invites you to express something of your personality.

It feels generally comfortable in the hand but the thin metal strip at the front that is supposed to act as a grip is somewhat slippery. The control layout, however, will be very familiar to regular Canon camera owners - the firm mode dial on the top next to the shutter with a zoom ring outside and a recessed power button, plus the circular control dial on the back surrounded by dedicated buttons for exposure compensation, playback, display and menu.

The substantial 3-inch LCD has a standard 230,000 dots which is more than enough to provide plenty of detail and colour variation and the instant video capture button at top right of the back panel ensures you can instantly start shooting at 720p HD quality and then play the results back immediately via the HDMI port on the side.

The PowerShot SX160 IS has obviously been constructed with holiday snaps in mind, too, as the power source is two AA batteries, thus allowing you to carry several days' worth of photography without having to constantly recharge. In addition, a smooth acting 16x optical zoom which is perfect for those events where you want to capture close-ups of Disney floats or dolphins is further enhanced by a 4x digital zoom, which is probably best used if you can keep the camera on some stable surface. Zooming is also possible when recording video and the image stabilisation system does a good job of keeping the picture steady when on the move.

The quality of the images is especially sharp in lighter conditions, which is due in part to the expansion to a 16MP 28-448mm equivalent lens over the former SX150 IS's 14MP. You can also have some fun with this camera as the 32 possible scene modes include effects like Miniature, Toy, Fish-eye and Poster.

While the price (currently around £165) is highly attractive, that does mean you'll find certain restrictions that you wouldn't expect for more advanced cameras - i.e. no electronic viewfinder, maximum 800 ISO for low light photos and 15 seconds flash recycling times. But if these are your first tentative steps into digital photography, the PowerShot SX160 IS is not a bad place to start.


Score: 4/5