Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SX170 IS
95 Imaging
39 Features
29 Overall
35


88 Imaging
40 Features
41 Overall
40
Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-224mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
- 145g - 95 x 56 x 24mm
- Announced February 2012
(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
- Released August 2013
- Earlier Model is Canon SX160 IS

Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Overview
Let's examine more closely at the Canon A4000 IS and Canon SX170 IS, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are sold by Canon. The sensor resolution of the A4000 IS (16MP) and the SX170 IS (16MP) is pretty well matched and they possess the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The A4000 IS was unveiled 18 months earlier than the SX170 IS which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the A4000 IS grades vs the SX170 IS in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot A4000 IS & Canon PowerShot SX170 IS. The full galleries are provided at Canon A4000 IS Gallery & Canon SX170 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A4000 IS over the Canon SX170 IS
A4000 IS | SX170 IS |
---|
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon A4000 IS
SX170 IS | A4000 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2013 | ![]() | February 2012 | More recent by 18 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focus |
Common features in the Canon A4000 IS and Canon SX170 IS
A4000 IS | SX170 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen dimensions |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Physical Comparison
If you are going to lug around your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon A4000 IS has got exterior measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 145 grams (0.32 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).
Compare the Canon A4000 IS and Canon SX170 IS in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the A4000 IS compared to the SX170 IS.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A4000 IS and SX170 IS is 95 and 88 respectively.

Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements purely by looking at specs. The graphic underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the A4000 IS and SX170 IS.
As you can plainly see, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of photos although you have to take the launch date of the products into consideration. The older A4000 IS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A4000 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Specifications
Canon PowerShot A4000 IS | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Canon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot A4000 IS | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2012-02-07 | 2013-08-22 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Digic 4 |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-224mm (8.0x) | 28-448mm (16.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.0-5.9 | f/3.5-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 15 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/3200 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 3.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic 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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 145g (0.32 lb) | 251g (0.55 lb) |
Dimensions | 95 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 175 images | 300 images |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 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 |
Price at release | $199 | $0 |