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Canon N vs Canon SX170 IS

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
33
Overall
34
Canon PowerShot N front
 
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40

Canon N vs Canon SX170 IS Key Specs

Canon N
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 195g - 79 x 60 x 29mm
  • Launched January 2013
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
  • Announced August 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX160 IS
Photography Glossary

Canon N vs Canon SX170 IS Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Canon N versus Canon SX170 IS, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are offered by Canon. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the N (12MP) and SX170 IS (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The N was introduced 7 months earlier than the SX170 IS which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the N scores vs the SX170 IS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon N over the Canon SX170 IS

 N SX170 IS 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon N

 SX170 IS N 
AnnouncedAugust 2013January 2013Newer by 7 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display dimension3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon N and Canon SX170 IS

 N SX170 IS 

Canon N vs Canon SX170 IS Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Canon N offers physical dimensions of 79mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Canon SX170 IS has specifications of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs).

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Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the N against the SX170 IS.

Canon N vs Canon SX170 IS size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the N and SX170 IS is 93 and 88 respectively.

Canon N vs Canon SX170 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon N vs Canon SX170 IS Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions simply by checking specifications. The picture here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the N and SX170 IS.

To sum up, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Canon SX170 IS to give more detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged N is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon N vs Canon SX170 IS sensor size comparison

Canon N vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Canon N Portrait photography advice
Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography advice
21
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
44
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with face detection focusing
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon N Street photography info
Canon SX170 IS Street photography info
65
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (251 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon N
Sports photography with Canon SX170 IS
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
48
incredible zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon N Travel photography information
Canon SX170 IS Travel photography information
61
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
68
lighter than competition (251 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
very long reach (448mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon N
Landscape photography with Canon SX170 IS
36
relatively wide (28mm)
good sized screen (2.8 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
49
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon N Vlogging features
Canon SX170 IS Vlogging features
72
relatively wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have external mic port
31
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than competition (251g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic support
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Canon N vs Canon SX170 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon N and Canon SX170 IS
 Canon PowerShot NCanon PowerShot SX170 IS
General Information
Brand Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot N Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-01-07 2013-08-22
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 5 Digic 4
Sensor type CMOS 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 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 2248 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-224mm (8.0x) 28-448mm (16.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 2.8" 3"
Screen resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology PureColor II G touch TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/3200s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 3.00 m
Flash modes - Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 ( 240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 195 gr (0.43 pounds) 251 gr (0.55 pounds)
Dimensions 79 x 60 x 29mm (3.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images 300 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-9L NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage type microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $299 $0