Canon 170 IS vs Pentax P70
95 Imaging
45 Features
29 Overall
38


95 Imaging
34 Features
20 Overall
28
Canon 170 IS vs Pentax P70 Key Specs
(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 Known as IXUS 170
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
- 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
- Revealed March 2009

Canon 170 IS vs Pentax P70 Overview
The following is a detailed analysis of the Canon 170 IS and Pentax P70, both Ultracompact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the 170 IS (20MP) and P70 (12MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The 170 IS was released 5 years after the P70 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).
Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the 170 IS matches up vs the P70 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon 170 IS vs Pentax P70 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS and Pentax Optio P70. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon 170 IS Gallery and Pentax P70 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Pentax P70
170 IS | P70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2015 | ![]() | March 2009 | Newer by 72 months |
Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Canon 170 IS
P70 | 170 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing |
Common features in the Canon 170 IS and Pentax P70
170 IS | P70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Equal screen dimensions |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch screen |
Canon 170 IS vs Pentax P70 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon 170 IS provides outside dimensions of 100mm x 58mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Pentax P70 has dimensions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") along with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).
Check the Canon 170 IS and Pentax P70 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the 170 IS against the P70.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 170 IS and P70 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Canon 170 IS vs Pentax P70 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its hard to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions only by viewing technical specs. The image underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the 170 IS and P70.
As you can tell, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should expect the Canon 170 IS to provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The younger 170 IS provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon 170 IS vs Pentax P70 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Pentax P70 Specifications
Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS | Pentax Optio P70 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS | Pentax Optio P70 |
Also called as | IXUS 170 | - |
Category | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Revealed | 2015-01-06 | 2009-03-02 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | DIGIC 4+ | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 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 | - |
Peak resolution | 5152 x 3864 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 64 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-300mm (12.0x) | 28-110mm (3.9x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.6-7.0 | f/2.8-5.0 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.7 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 0.8 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.00 m | 4.60 m |
Flash options | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | - |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone 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 lb) | 155g (0.34 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 100 x 58 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") | 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" 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 pictures | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-11L/LH | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $149 | $200 |