Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX170 IS
94 Imaging
34 Features
14 Overall
26
88 Imaging
39 Features
41 Overall
39
Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 35-140mm (F2.7-5.6) lens
- 165g - 97 x 58 x 28mm
- Announced January 2010
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
- Announced August 2013
- Previous Model is Canon SX160 IS
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Overview
Here, we are analyzing the Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX170 IS, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both designed by Canon. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the A3100 IS (12MP) and SX170 IS (16MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe A3100 IS was launched 4 years earlier than the SX170 IS which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a short view of how the A3100 IS matches up against the SX170 IS with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot A3100 IS and Canon PowerShot SX170 IS. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon A3100 IS Gallery and Canon SX170 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Canon SX170 IS
| A3100 IS | SX170 IS |
|---|
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon A3100 IS
| SX170 IS | A3100 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | August 2013 | January 2010 | Newer by 44 months | |
| Focus manually | More accurate focusing | |||
| Display size | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Canon SX170 IS
| A3100 IS | SX170 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display resolution | 230k | 230k | Equal display resolution | |
| Selfie screen | No selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | Neither has Touch friendly display |
Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Physical Comparison
If you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Canon A3100 IS has outer dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Canon SX170 IS has specifications of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs).
Look at the Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX170 IS in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the A3100 IS vs the SX170 IS.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the A3100 IS and SX170 IS is 94 and 88 respectively.
Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is difficult to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions only by looking through specs. The picture here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3100 IS and SX170 IS.
As you can plainly see, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You should anticipate the Canon SX170 IS to result in greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged A3100 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.
Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Specifications
| Canon PowerShot A3100 IS | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Canon | Canon |
| Model | Canon PowerShot A3100 IS | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS |
| Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Announced | 2010-01-05 | 2013-08-22 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | - | Digic 4 |
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12MP | 16MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | - |
| Cross focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 35-140mm (4.0x) | 28-448mm (16.0x) |
| Max aperture | f/2.7-5.6 | f/3.5-5.9 |
| Macro focus distance | 3cm | 1cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display sizing | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
| Display resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Display tech | - | TFT Color LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 15 seconds |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/3200 seconds |
| Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 3.00 m | 3.00 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| 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 | 165 grams (0.36 lb) | 251 grams (0.55 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around 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 | - | 300 photographs |
| Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | NB-8L | NB-6LH |
| Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Retail cost | $159 | $0 |