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Canon G9 X II vs Canon SX170 IS

Portability
92
Imaging
53
Features
66
Overall
58
Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II front
 
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40

Canon G9 X II vs Canon SX170 IS Key Specs

Canon G9 X II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-84mm (F2-4.9) lens
  • 206g - 98 x 58 x 31mm
  • Launched January 2017
  • Earlier Model is Canon G9 X
Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
  • Revealed August 2013
  • Older Model is Canon SX160 IS
Photography Glossary

Canon G9 X II vs Canon SX170 IS Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Canon G9 X II versus Canon SX170 IS, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are sold by Canon. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the G9 X II (20MP) and SX170 IS (16MP) and the G9 X II (1") and SX170 IS (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizing.

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The G9 X II was announced 3 years later than the SX170 IS and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise view of how the G9 X II grades versus the SX170 IS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon G9 X II over the Canon SX170 IS

 G9 X II SX170 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2017August 2013Fresher by 42 months
Screen resolution1040k230kClearer screen (+810k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon G9 X II

 SX170 IS G9 X II 

Common features in the Canon G9 X II and Canon SX170 IS

 G9 X II SX170 IS 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Canon G9 X II vs Canon SX170 IS Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Canon G9 X II comes with physical dimensions of 98mm x 58mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Canon SX170 IS has proportions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon G9 X II versus Canon SX170 IS in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the G9 X II versus the SX170 IS.

Canon G9 X II vs Canon SX170 IS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the G9 X II and SX170 IS is 92 and 88 respectively.

Canon G9 X II vs Canon SX170 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon G9 X II vs Canon SX170 IS Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing only by checking technical specs. The photograph underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the G9 X II and SX170 IS.

As you have seen, each of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The G9 X II with its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Canon G9 X II will give greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more recent G9 X II provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon G9 X II vs Canon SX170 IS sensor size comparison

Canon G9 X II vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G9 X II vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G9 X II Portrait photography factors
Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography factors
65
manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
provides face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
44
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
has face detect focus
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon G9 X II Street photography advice
Canon SX170 IS Street photography advice
80
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is decent (1")
exports RAW formats
features touch focus
lighter than competition (206 grams)
screen is fixed
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (251 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon G9 X II Sports photography information
Canon SX170 IS Sports photography information
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
provides tracking focus
terrible battery power (235 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
48
amazing zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon G9 X II
Travel photography with Canon SX170 IS
78
lighter than competition (206g)
connects via bluetooth
features touch focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f2)
terrible battery power (235 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
68
lighter than others in class (251 grams)
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
great reach (448mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon G9 X II
Landscape photography with Canon SX170 IS
70
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f2)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
terrible battery power (235 CIPA)
49
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon G9 X II Vlogging details
Canon SX170 IS Vlogging details
39
decently wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f2)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (206 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
31
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
lighter than others in class (251g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Canon G9 X II vs Canon SX170 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G9 X II and Canon SX170 IS
 Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark IICanon PowerShot SX170 IS
General Information
Brand Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
Category Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2017-01-04 2013-08-22
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 7 Digic 4
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5472 x 3648 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 1600
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-84mm (3.0x) 28-448mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2-4.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 2.7 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/3200 secs
Continuous shutter rate 8.2fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m (at Auto ISO) 3.00 m
Flash options Auto, on, slow synchro, off Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 35 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 206 grams (0.45 lb) 251 grams (0.55 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 58 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 65 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 522 not tested
Other
Battery life 235 photos 300 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $530 $0