Canon A480 vs Canon 170 IS
94 Imaging
33 Features
13 Overall
25


95 Imaging
45 Features
29 Overall
38
Canon A480 vs Canon 170 IS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 37-122mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
- 140g - 92 x 62 x 31mm
- Announced January 2009
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.6-7.0) lens
- 141g - 100 x 58 x 23mm
- Revealed January 2015
- Also referred to as IXUS 170

Canon A480 vs Canon 170 IS Overview
Lets look closer at the Canon A480 vs Canon 170 IS, both Ultracompact cameras and they are both built by Canon. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the A480 (10MP) and 170 IS (20MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The A480 was manufactured 7 years earlier than the 170 IS which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).
Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the A480 scores versus the 170 IS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon A480 vs Canon 170 IS Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A480 and Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon A480 Gallery and Canon 170 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A480 over the Canon 170 IS
A480 | 170 IS |
---|
Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Canon A480
170 IS | A480 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2015 | ![]() | January 2009 | More modern by 72 months |
Screen dimensions | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 115k | Clearer screen (+115k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A480 and Canon 170 IS
A480 | 170 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither offers Touch friendly screen |
Canon A480 vs Canon 170 IS Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to carry around your camera, you have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon A480 offers outside measurements of 92mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 140 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Canon 170 IS has measurements of 100mm x 58mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs).
Contrast the Canon A480 vs Canon 170 IS in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the A480 vs the 170 IS.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the A480 and 170 IS is 94 and 95 respectively.

Canon A480 vs Canon 170 IS Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizes simply by going through specs. The picture here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the A480 and 170 IS.
As you can plainly see, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Canon 170 IS to show more detail due to its extra 10MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged A480 will be behind in sensor tech.

Canon A480 vs Canon 170 IS Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A480 vs Canon 170 IS Specifications
Canon PowerShot A480 | Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Canon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot A480 | Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS |
Otherwise known as | - | IXUS 170 |
Category | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Announced | 2009-01-15 | 2015-01-06 |
Physical type | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | 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 area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 20MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 5152 x 3864 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 5 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 37-122mm (3.3x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.0-5.8 | f/3.6-7.0 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.5 inches | 2.7 inches |
Screen resolution | 115 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15s | 15s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | 0.8fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 4.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync | Auto, on, off, slow synchro |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/500s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
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 | 140g (0.31 pounds) | 141g (0.31 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 92 x 62 x 31mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 100 x 58 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") |
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 | - | 200 shots |
Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 2 x AA | NB-11L/LH |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $210 | $149 |