Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD780 IS
95 Imaging
45 Features
29 Overall
38


96 Imaging
34 Features
20 Overall
28
Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD780 IS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- 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 Known as IXUS 170
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 33-100mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
- 155g - 87 x 56 x 18mm
- Released February 2009
- Also Known as Digital IXUS 100 IS

Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD780 IS Overview
Here is a complete overview of the Canon 170 IS versus Canon SD780 IS, both Ultracompact digital cameras and both of them are designed by Canon. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the 170 IS (20MP) and SD780 IS (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The 170 IS was announced 5 years later than the SD780 IS and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).
Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the 170 IS grades vs the SD780 IS in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD780 IS Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS & Canon PowerShot SD780 IS. The whole galleries are available at Canon 170 IS Gallery & Canon SD780 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Canon SD780 IS
170 IS | SD780 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2015 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 72 months |
Display dimensions | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Canon SD780 IS over the Canon 170 IS
SD780 IS | 170 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon 170 IS and Canon SD780 IS
170 IS | SD780 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly display |
Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD780 IS Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon 170 IS enjoys outer dimensions of 100mm x 58mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Canon SD780 IS has proportions of 87mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).
Analyze the Canon 170 IS versus Canon SD780 IS in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the 170 IS vs the SD780 IS.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 170 IS and SD780 IS is 95 and 96 respectively.

Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD780 IS Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading a spec sheet. The visual here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the 170 IS and SD780 IS.
Clearly, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can expect to see the Canon 170 IS to offer extra detail with its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The more recent 170 IS should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD780 IS Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD780 IS Specifications
Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS | Canon PowerShot SD780 IS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Canon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS | Canon PowerShot SD780 IS |
Also called | IXUS 170 | Digital IXUS 100 IS |
Type | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Revealed | 2015-01-06 | 2009-02-18 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
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 | 20 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5152 x 3864 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-300mm (12.0x) | 33-100mm (3.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.6-7.0 | f/3.2-5.8 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.7 inches | 2.5 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (tunnel) |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15s | 15s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1500s |
Continuous shutter speed | 0.8 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.00 m | 3.50 m |
Flash settings | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 141g (0.31 pounds) | 155g (0.34 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 100 x 58 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") | 87 x 56 x 18mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
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 | 200 photos | - |
Battery form | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-11L/LH | NB-4L |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $149 | $0 |