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Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX170 IS

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40

Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Key Specs

Canon SD1200 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-105mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 160g - 86 x 55 x 22mm
  • Released February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 95 IS
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
  • Launched August 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX160 IS
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Canon SD1200 IS and Canon SX170 IS, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are manufactured by Canon. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the SD1200 IS (10MP) and SX170 IS (16MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD1200 IS was manufactured 5 years earlier than the SX170 IS which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a quick view of how the SD1200 IS scores versus the SX170 IS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Canon SX170 IS

 SD1200 IS SX170 IS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon SD1200 IS

 SX170 IS SD1200 IS 
LaunchedAugust 2013February 2009More modern by 54 months
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Canon SD1200 IS and Canon SX170 IS

 SD1200 IS SX170 IS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Canon SD1200 IS provides outside measurements of 86mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 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).

Take a look at the Canon SD1200 IS and Canon SX170 IS in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the SD1200 IS compared to the SX170 IS.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX170 IS size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SD1200 IS and SX170 IS is 95 and 88 respectively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX170 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes merely by looking at specifications. The pic below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SD1200 IS and SX170 IS.

To sum up, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Canon SX170 IS to give you more detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SD1200 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX170 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Canon SX170 IS as a Portrait photography camera
25
has face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
44
has manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
comes with face detect focusing
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Street photography highlights
Canon SX170 IS Street photography highlights
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (251 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD1200 IS
Sports photography with Canon SX170 IS
24
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
48
incredible zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Travel photography features
Canon SX170 IS Travel photography features
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than others (251 grams)
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
long reach (448mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Canon SX170 IS as a Landscape photography camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inch)
no manual control
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
49
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Vlogging advice
Canon SX170 IS Vlogging advice
28
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external mic support
31
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than others (251 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic jack
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD1200 IS and Canon SX170 IS
 Canon PowerShot SD1200 ISCanon PowerShot SX170 IS
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 95 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-02-18 2013-08-22
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Digic 4
Sensor type CCD 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 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-105mm (3.0x) 28-448mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/3200 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160 gr (0.35 lb) 251 gr (0.55 lb)
Dimensions 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") 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 260 pictures 300 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $250 $0