Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD940 IS
95 Imaging
45 Features
29 Overall
38


96 Imaging
34 Features
21 Overall
28
Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD940 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
- Announced January 2015
- Alternate Name is IXUS 170
(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

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").

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.

Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD940 IS Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS and Canon PowerShot SD940 IS. The entire galleries are provided at Canon 170 IS Gallery and Canon SD940 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Canon SD940 IS
170 IS | SD940 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2015 | ![]() | August 2009 | More 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Equivalent display size |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD940 IS Specifications
Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS | Canon 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 |