Canon ELPH 330 HS vs Canon SX170 IS

Canon PowerShot ELPH 330 HS vs Canon PowerShot SX170 IS: A Practical Comparison for Every Photographer

In an era when smartphones often rule casual photography, compact cameras like the Canon PowerShot ELPH 330 HS and the Canon PowerShot SX170 IS continue to serve niche roles that fulfill specific enthusiast and casual user needs. I’ve tested and analyzed these two 2013-era Canon compacts extensively under various real-world conditions, drawing on my 15+ years of experience with cameras at every level. This comparison balances technical specifications with hands-on usability and photographic outcomes to guide you toward the right camera for your style, budget, and expectations.

Let’s begin by examining how these two Canon PowerShots stack up physically and ergonomically.

Form Factor and Handling - Compact vs Superzoom Bulk

At first glance, the Canon ELPH 330 HS appeals immediately for its pocketable design. Measuring 97 x 56 x 23 mm and weighing just 144 grams, it slips neatly into a jacket or small purse. The ergonomics are straightforward - small hand grip, fixed non-touch 3-inch screen, no viewfinder - but surprisingly comfortable for extended casual shooting sessions. For travelers or street photographers prioritizing discretion and portability, the slim ELPH 330 HS is tough to beat.

In contrast, the Canon SX170 IS is undeniably bigger and heavier (108 x 71 x 44 mm, 251 g) - a natural consequence of its extended 16x superzoom lens (28-448mm equivalent). It’s less discreet and feels chunkier in hand but offers greater versatility through its longer zoom reach and more manual controls. For users who want a single travel camera or a capable superzoom for wildlife or sports snapshots on a budget, the SX170 IS aims to please, although it compromises on compactness.

The control layout also differs notably.

The ELPH 330 HS’s minimalistic top plate eschews dedicated dials in favor of a mode dial and shutter button, making it approachable but limiting manual control. The SX170 IS adds manual exposure features and quick access dial - a small but meaningful distinction in flexibility for enthusiasts.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras share a 1/2.3" sensor size - common for small-sensor compacts - but here the distinction emerges clearly.

• ELPH 330 HS: Uses a 12MP backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor paired with Canon’s DIGIC 5 processor. BSI technology improves low-light sensitivity by enhancing light gathering on the sensor’s surface - an important advantage for casual low-light shooting and video recording. The max ISO is 6400, providing modest flexibility in dim situations.

• SX170 IS: Features a 16MP CCD sensor with the older DIGIC 4 processing engine. While CCDs traditionally deliver pleasant color rendition and sharpness at base ISO, they consume more power and generally perform weaker at high ISO settings, capped at ISO 1600 here.

From hands-on field testing, the ELPH 330 HS generally produces cleaner, more consistent images at higher ISOs, thanks to modern BSI CMOS and DIGIC 5. The SX170 IS’s 16MP resolution yields slightly more pixel-level detail in bright daylight but struggles with digital noise beyond ISO 400. Moreover, the CCD sensor’s dynamic range is more limited, which affects highlight and shadow detail in tricky lighting.

Display and User Interface: Previewing and Composing Shots

Both cameras sport 3" fixed LCDs with similar screen sizes, yet the quality and interface differ.

The ELPH 330 HS’s PureColor II G screen with 461k dots is notably brighter and sharper. This improved resolution makes framing and reviewing images more precise, especially under outdoor lighting. Its menu system is streamlined for simplicity, reflecting the camera’s aim at casual users.

SX170 IS’s 230k dot TFT color LCD is less crisp and dimmer, which becomes apparent when shooting under strong sunlight. The interface is more extensive due to manual exposure options but looks dated in both resolution and responsiveness.

Neither offers a viewfinder, but the live view implementations provide basic face detection autofocus and tracking. The ELPH’s DIGIC 5-powered live view experience is smoother with faster response.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy in Real Moments

Autofocus is paramount for capturing fleeting moments, whether in street life, sports, or wildlife.

• ELPH 330 HS: Employs a 9-point contrast-detection AF system with face detection and continuous AF tracking. While lacking phase-detection, the CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 processor render autofocus relatively quick and responsive for this class, especially under good light. It can track faces or subjects fairly well with limited AF point coverage.

• SX170 IS: Since it relies on CCD sensor contrast detection only, autofocus is slower and more hesitant, especially in low light. It has fewer AF points and no continuous AF in burst shooting mode.

What surprised me after hours testing both in parks and informal sports: the ELPH 330 HS, despite its compact size and lack of manual focus, is faster and more consistent AF-wise. The SX170 IS’s manual focus ring (rare in compacts) is a plus for precise macro or creative use, but its autofocus lags behind.

Zoom Range and Lens Performance: Flexibility vs Speed

The SX170 IS is the clear winner on optical zoom specs - 16x (28-448mm equivalent) vs ELPH 330 HS’s 10x (24-240mm). This extra reach is significant for wildlife, travel, and landscapes where distant subjects need framing.

However, the ELPH 330 HS has a wider aperture range (f/3.0-6.9) allowing it to capture slightly brighter images at the wide end compared to the SX170’s f/3.5-5.9.

While both lenses are fixed and non-interchangeable, the SX170 IS includes manual focusing and aperture/shutter priority modes, granting greater creative exposure control essential for more advanced users.

Burst Shooting and Continuous Capture: Catching the Action

Both cameras provide limited burst rates:

• ELPH 330 HS: 2 fps continuous shooting
• SX170 IS: 1 fps continuous shooting

Neither camera is designed for serious action or sports photography requiring higher burst speeds. The ELPH edges out slightly for capturing casual fast moments, but neither will satisfy avid sports shooters.

Video Recording Capabilities: HD but Limited

Video mode is increasingly crucial, and both can shoot HD but with differences:

• ELPH 330 HS: Full HD 1080p at 24 fps, plus slow motion 120 fps at VGA resolution (640x480). The H.264 codec is fairly standard but notably better quality and frame options than the SX170 IS offers.

• SX170 IS: HD 720p at 25 or 30 fps with MPEG-4 or H.264 compression. No full 1080p option limits versatility.

Sadly, neither model offers external microphone inputs or advanced video controls, so videographers wanting serious quality will look elsewhere.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

Battery life is where SX170 IS impresses somewhat, rated at ~300 shots, while ELPH 330 HS manages around 220. Users planning extended shooting days will find SX170 more accommodating.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single slot and rely on proprietary battery packs (NB-4L for ELPH; NB-6LH for SX170). Charging reliability is solid, but no USB charging support here - something modern users miss.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Wireless connectivity is present but modest:

• ELPH 330 HS boasts built-in Wi-Fi, facilitating easy sharing and image transfer to smartphones or computers - a major plus for casual shooters wanting quick social media posts.
• SX170 IS supports Eye-Fi cards for wireless SD data transfer but no native Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Neither camera has GPS, touchscreen, electronic viewfinders, or advanced stabilization beyond optical image stabilization, which is effective in reducing handshake artifacts.

Pragmatic Use-Case and Genre Performance

Using these cameras in various photographic disciplines highlights their strengths and weaknesses:

Canon ELPH 330 HS front Canon ELPH 330 HS screen back Canon SX170 IS front Canon SX170 IS screen back

• Portraits: The ELPH 330 HS’s BSI CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 processor render skin tones more naturally, with face detection working well. The shallowest aperture f/3.0 at 24mm helps achieve modest background blur but neither lens achieves true creamy bokeh due to sensor and aperture limitations.

• Landscapes: SX170 IS’s higher resolution sensor edges out for landscape detail, especially at base ISO, though dynamic range is limited for HDR work. ELPH 330 HS fares better in tricky lighting thanks to superior low light ISO performance but offers fewer megapixels.

• Wildlife: The SX170 IS’s longer zoom is a decisive advantage here, allowing telephoto framing without additional gear. The slow autofocus speed and limited burst shooting somewhat hinder capturing rapid wildlife action.

• Sports: Neither model is ideal given low burst rates and autofocus limitations, although the ELPH 330 HS is marginally better at tracking subjects. Dedicated sports shooters should consider more specialized cameras.

• Street: The slim profile and quick autofocus of the ELPH 330 HS make it pleasant for street candid shots needing discretion and speed. The SX170 IS feels bulky in comparison.

• Macro: Both can focus as close as 1 cm, but the SX170 IS’s manual focus helps for precision macro photography, while ELPH’s autofocus may hunt slightly - depending on lighting.

• Night/Astro: The ELPH 330 HS’s higher ISO ceiling and lower noise at high ISO provide a better platform for night scenes. However, the small sensor size remains limiting in all low light scenarios.

• Video: As previously stated, ELPH 330 HS produces smoother, higher-resolution footage suitable for casual video blogging or family movies.

• Travel: ELPH 330 HS’s compactness and Wi-Fi connectivity combined with respectable zoom make it an excellent, lightweight travel companion. SX170 IS offers more zoom but sacrifices portability.

• Professional Work: Neither is recommended for professional photography beyond casual or backup uses due to lack of RAW support, limited manual controls (especially in ELPH), and small sensors.

Durability and Build Quality

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, shockproofing, or freezeproofing. The ELPH 330 HS’s aluminum alloy body feels reasonably robust whereas the SX170 IS has a mostly plastic construction, contributing to its greater weight and less premium feel.

Price-to-Performance and Value Assessment

At launch, ELPH 330 HS was priced near $179, offering a balance of compactness and image quality enhancements from newer sensor technology.

The SX170 IS’s pricing (now typically found used or discounted) reflects its older processor and sensor but benefits from its extended zoom for users on a budget who prioritize reach.

Our detailed benchmark scores summarize the performance differences clearly.

Dissecting by photographic genre:

Final Thoughts: Which Canon Compact Suits Your Needs?

Choose the Canon PowerShot ELPH 330 HS if:

• You want a sleek, pocket-friendly pocket camera for street, travel, and everyday snapshots
• You value better image quality in low light and HD 1080p video recording
• Wireless connectivity and faster autofocus are priority must-haves
• You prefer simplicity and ease of use over manual control complexity

Choose the Canon PowerShot SX170 IS if:

• Your priority is telephoto zoom reach for wildlife, landscapes, or distant subjects
• You need some manual control (shutter/aperture priority, manual focus) at an entry-level price
• Battery life and a sturdy grip take precedence over size and image processing speed
• You can tolerate slower autofocus and lower video resolution in exchange for zoom versatility

In Summary

Both the Canon ELPH 330 HS and SX170 IS reflect 2013-era compromises between portability, zoom reach, image quality, and manual control in small sensor compacts. The ELPH 330 HS pushes sensor technology and user-friendly features while staying slim and social media-ready. The SX170 IS delivers zoom versatility and creative exposure modes but with dated imaging engine limitations.

Your choice hinges on what matters most: portability plus upgraded imaging (ELPH 330 HS) or superzoom telephoto range with manual control (SX170 IS). For most casual enthusiasts and travelers, I recommend the ELPH 330 HS due to its modern sensor and wireless benefits. However, superzoom fans with patience for slower AF can find value and flexibility in the SX170 IS.

This comparison exemplifies how nuanced compact camera choices remain, even in a smartphone-dominant world. After extensive hands-on evaluation, these insights aim to empower your decision with real-world knowledge, rather than just spec sheet summaries.

Happy shooting!