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Canon G15 vs Canon SX170 IS

Portability
86
Imaging
37
Features
58
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot G15 front
 
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40

Canon G15 vs Canon SX170 IS Key Specs

Canon G15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 352g - 107 x 76 x 40mm
  • Introduced September 2012
  • Older Model is Canon G12
  • Refreshed by Canon G16
Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
  • Introduced August 2013
  • Old Model is Canon SX160 IS
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Canon G15 vs Canon SX170 IS Overview

Let's look closer at the Canon G15 and Canon SX170 IS, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are built by Canon. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the G15 (12MP) and SX170 IS (16MP) and the G15 (1/1.7") and SX170 IS (1/2.3") offer different sensor size.

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The G15 was launched 11 months prior to the SX170 IS which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the G15 grades versus the SX170 IS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon G15 over the Canon SX170 IS

 G15 SX170 IS 
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon G15

 SX170 IS G15 
IntroducedAugust 2013September 2012More modern by 11 months

Common features in the Canon G15 and Canon SX170 IS

 G15 SX170 IS 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Canon G15 vs Canon SX170 IS Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon G15 offers physical measurements of 107mm x 76mm x 40mm (4.2" x 3.0" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 352 grams (0.78 lbs) while the Canon SX170 IS has measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs).

See the Canon G15 and Canon SX170 IS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the G15 vs the SX170 IS.

Canon G15 vs Canon SX170 IS size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the G15 and SX170 IS is 86 and 88 respectively.

Canon G15 vs Canon SX170 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon G15 vs Canon SX170 IS Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizes simply by looking at technical specs. The pic below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the G15 and SX170 IS.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The G15 due to its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Canon SX170 IS will resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged G15 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon G15 vs Canon SX170 IS sensor size comparison

Canon G15 vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G15 vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G15 Portrait photography info
Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography info
48
focusing manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
has face detect focus
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
44
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon G15
Street photography with Canon SX170 IS
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/1.7")
more heavy than others (352 grams)
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (251g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon G15 Sports photography factors
Canon SX170 IS Sports photography factors
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
better than average battery pack (350 shots)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect auto focus
48
incredible zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon G15 Travel photography details
Canon SX170 IS Travel photography details
61
better than average battery pack (350 CIPA)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than others (352 grams)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
68
lighter than average (251 grams)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
very long reach (448mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G15 Landscape photography factors
Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography factors
55
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (350 CIPA)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
does not have Timelapse recording
49
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon G15 as a Vlogging camera
Canon SX170 IS as a Vlogging camera
33
relatively wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have microphone socket
more heavy than others (352 grams)
31
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
lighter than average (251g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone support
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Canon G15 vs Canon SX170 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G15 and Canon SX170 IS
 Canon PowerShot G15Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot G15 Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-09-17 2013-08-22
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 5 Digic 4
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-448mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture f/1.8-2.8 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 922k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT PureColor II G LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/3200s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 3.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 352 gr (0.78 lb) 251 gr (0.55 lb)
Physical dimensions 107 x 76 x 40mm (4.2" x 3.0" x 1.6") 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 46 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 19.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 165 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photos 300 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-10L NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $499 $0