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Canon Elph 115 IS vs Canon SX170 IS

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Canon Elph 115 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40

Canon Elph 115 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Key Specs

Canon Elph 115 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.7-5.9) lens
  • 135g - 93 x 57 x 20mm
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Additionally referred to as IXUS 132 HS
Canon SX170 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
  • 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
  • Introduced August 2013
  • Older Model is Canon SX160 IS
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Canon Elph 115 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Canon Elph 115 IS and Canon SX170 IS, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are produced by Canon. The resolution of the Elph 115 IS (16MP) and the SX170 IS (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The Elph 115 IS was released 6 months before the SX170 IS and they are both of a similar age. The two cameras feature different body design with the Canon Elph 115 IS being a Ultracompact camera and the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the Elph 115 IS scores versus the SX170 IS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon Elph 115 IS over the Canon SX170 IS

 Elph 115 IS SX170 IS 
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon Elph 115 IS

 SX170 IS Elph 115 IS 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Common features in the Canon Elph 115 IS and Canon SX170 IS

 Elph 115 IS SX170 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2013August 2013Similar age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Canon Elph 115 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon Elph 115 IS has exterior measurements of 93mm x 57mm x 20mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Canon SX170 IS has measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs).

Examine the Canon Elph 115 IS and Canon SX170 IS in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the Elph 115 IS vs the SX170 IS.

Canon Elph 115 IS vs Canon SX170 IS size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the Elph 115 IS and SX170 IS is 96 and 88 respectively.

Canon Elph 115 IS vs Canon SX170 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon Elph 115 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading a spec sheet. The graphic here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the Elph 115 IS and SX170 IS.

As you can see, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact megapixels and you can expect similar quality of photos though you might want to take the age of the products into consideration.

Canon Elph 115 IS vs Canon SX170 IS sensor size comparison

Canon Elph 115 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon Elph 115 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon Elph 115 IS
Portrait photography with Canon SX170 IS
34
good resolution (16 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
44
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon Elph 115 IS
Street photography with Canon SX170 IS
58
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (251g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon Elph 115 IS as a Sports photography camera
Canon SX170 IS as a Sports photography camera
38
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (170 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
48
excellent zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon Elph 115 IS as a Travel photography camera
Canon SX170 IS as a Travel photography camera
63
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery life (170 shots)
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
68
lighter than average (251 grams)
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
very long zoom (448mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon Elph 115 IS Landscape photography advice
Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography advice
41
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
manual exposure not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery life (170 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
49
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon Elph 115 IS as a Vlogging camera
Canon SX170 IS as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
does not have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone socket
31
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
lighter than average (251g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
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Canon Elph 115 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon Elph 115 IS and Canon SX170 IS
 Canon Elph 115 ISCanon PowerShot SX170 IS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model Canon Elph 115 IS Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
Also Known as IXUS 132 HS -
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-01-29 2013-08-22
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 5 Digic 4
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-448mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.7-5.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology PureColor II G TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/3200 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 135g (0.30 pounds) 251g (0.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 93 x 57 x 20mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8") 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 170 shots 300 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-11L NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail cost $225 $0