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Canon 170 IS vs Olympus VG-120

Portability
95
Imaging
46
Features
29
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS front
 
Olympus VG-120 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Canon 170 IS vs Olympus VG-120 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
  • Released January 2015
  • Also Known as IXUS 170
Olympus VG-120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 120g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Released January 2011
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Canon 170 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Canon 170 IS vs Olympus VG-120, both Ultracompact cameras by competitors Canon and Olympus. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the 170 IS (20MP) and VG-120 (14MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The 170 IS was announced 4 years after the VG-120 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the 170 IS matches up versus the VG-120 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Olympus VG-120

 170 IS VG-120 
ReleasedJanuary 2015January 2011Newer by 49 months

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Canon 170 IS

 VG-120 170 IS 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Canon 170 IS and Olympus VG-120

 170 IS VG-120 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Canon 170 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon 170 IS enjoys external dimensions of 100mm x 58mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Olympus VG-120 has dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs).

See the Canon 170 IS vs Olympus VG-120 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the 170 IS against the VG-120.

Canon 170 IS vs Olympus VG-120 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 170 IS and VG-120 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Canon 170 IS vs Olympus VG-120 top view buttons comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions purely by viewing technical specs. The picture here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the 170 IS and VG-120.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should count on the Canon 170 IS to result in greater detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The more recent 170 IS should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Canon 170 IS vs Olympus VG-120 sensor size comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 170 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 170 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus VG-120 as a Portrait photography camera
39
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
provides face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
33
good megapixels (14MP)
has face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon 170 IS as a Street photography camera
Olympus VG-120 as a Street photography camera
59
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
48
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon 170 IS
Sports photography with Olympus VG-120
44
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
max fps very slow (0.8 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
26
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (160 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon 170 IS as a Travel photography camera
Olympus VG-120 as a Travel photography camera
70
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
no Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.6)
62
good megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (160 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon 170 IS
Landscape photography with Olympus VG-120
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.6)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
36
decently wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery life (160 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 170 IS Vlogging advice
Olympus VG-120 Vlogging advice
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.6)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic socket
28
decently wide (26mm)
has face detection autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
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Canon 170 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 170 IS and Olympus VG-120
 Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 ISOlympus VG-120
General Information
Make Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS Olympus VG-120
Also referred to as IXUS 170 -
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Released 2015-01-06 2011-01-06
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4+ TruePic III
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 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Highest Possible resolution 5152 x 3864 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.6-7.0 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 7cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 0.8 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 4.40 m
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB 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, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 141g (0.31 lbs) 120g (0.26 lbs)
Physical dimensions 100 x 58 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" 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 160 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-11L/LH LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $149 $190