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Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD940 IS

Portability
95
Imaging
45
Features
29
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SD940 IS front
Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28

Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD940 IS Key Specs

Canon 170 IS
(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
  • Announced January 2015
  • Alternate Name is IXUS 170
Canon SD940 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 120g - 89 x 55 x 20mm
  • Released August 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 120 IS
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Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD940 IS Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Canon 170 IS versus Canon SD940 IS, both Ultracompact cameras and both are offered by Canon. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the 170 IS (20MP) and SD940 IS (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The 170 IS was brought out 5 years after the SD940 IS which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the 170 IS matches up versus the SD940 IS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary

				

Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Canon SD940 IS

 170 IS SD940 IS 
ReleasedJanuary 2015August 2009More modern by 66 months

Reasons to pick Canon SD940 IS over the Canon 170 IS

 SD940 IS 170 IS 

Common features in the Canon 170 IS and Canon SD940 IS

 170 IS SD940 IS 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display size
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD940 IS Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon 170 IS has got outside measurements of 100mm x 58mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Canon SD940 IS has dimensions of 89mm x 55mm x 20mm (3.5" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs).

Analyze the Canon 170 IS versus Canon SD940 IS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the 170 IS versus the SD940 IS.

Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD940 IS size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the 170 IS and SD940 IS is 95 and 96 respectively.

Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD940 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD940 IS Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to see the gap in sensor sizes merely by looking through specifications. The picture here might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the 170 IS and SD940 IS.

Plainly, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Canon 170 IS to render more detail having its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos far more aggressively. The younger 170 IS is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD940 IS sensor size comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD940 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD940 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 170 IS Portrait photography details
Canon SD940 IS Portrait photography details
38
decent megapixels (20MP)
supports face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
20
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon 170 IS as a Street photography camera
Canon SD940 IS as a Street photography camera
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon 170 IS as a Sports photography camera
Canon SD940 IS as a Sports photography camera
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
max frames per second low (0.8 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon 170 IS as a Travel photography camera
Canon SD940 IS as a Travel photography camera
69
decent megapixels (20MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.6)
58
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon 170 IS
Landscape photography with Canon SD940 IS
41
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20MP)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.6)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
32
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 170 IS Vlogging information
Canon SD940 IS Vlogging information
32
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
slow max aperture (f3.6)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic socket
29
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
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Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD940 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 170 IS and Canon SD940 IS
 Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 ISCanon PowerShot SD940 IS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS Canon PowerShot SD940 IS
Also Known as IXUS 170 Digital IXUS 120 IS
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 2015-01-06 2009-08-19
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4+ 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 20MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5152 x 3864 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
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) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.6-7.0 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
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
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 4.00 m
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 141g (0.31 pounds) 120g (0.26 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 58 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") 89 x 55 x 20mm (3.5" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 pictures -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-11L/LH NB-4L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $149 $299