Clicky

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX170 IS

Portability
64
Imaging
33
Features
53
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Key Specs

Canon SX1 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 615g - 128 x 88 x 88mm
  • Introduced March 2009
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
  • Superseded the Canon SX160 IS
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Overview

The following is a thorough assessment of the Canon SX1 IS versus Canon SX170 IS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both of them are created by Canon. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SX1 IS (10MP) and SX170 IS (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The SX1 IS was announced 5 years earlier than the SX170 IS which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX1 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera.

Before going into a complete comparison, here is a brief summation of how the SX1 IS scores versus the SX170 IS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Canon SX170 IS

 SX1 IS SX170 IS 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon SX1 IS

 SX170 IS SX1 IS 
RevealedAugust 2013March 2009Newer by 53 months
Screen size3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Canon SX170 IS

 SX1 IS SX170 IS 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX1 IS comes with physical dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") having a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) while the Canon SX170 IS has specifications of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX1 IS versus Canon SX170 IS in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the SX1 IS and the SX170 IS.

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX170 IS size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SX1 IS and SX170 IS is 64 and 88 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX170 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions simply by viewing a spec sheet. The pic here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX1 IS and SX170 IS.

Clearly, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Canon SX170 IS to render extra detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SX1 IS will be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX170 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Portrait photography advice
Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography advice
46
manual focus
high flash sync (1/500 seconds)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
44
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Street photography info
Canon SX170 IS Street photography info
56
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
more heavy than average in class (615 grams)
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (251 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Sports photography camera
Canon SX170 IS as a Sports photography camera
33
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
48
amazing zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Travel photography info
Canon SX170 IS Travel photography info
52
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
decently wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than average in class (615 grams)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than others (251 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
very long reach (448mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Landscape photography highlights
Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography highlights
44
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (2.8")
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no Timelapse mode
49
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Vlogging camera
Canon SX170 IS as a Vlogging camera
57
decently wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (615 grams)
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than others (251 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone jack
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Canon SX1 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX1 IS and Canon SX170 IS
 Canon PowerShot SX1 ISCanon PowerShot SX170 IS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-03-27 2013-08-22
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Digic 4
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 28-448mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.8" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/3200 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 615 grams (1.36 lb) 251 grams (0.55 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") 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 - 300 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $600 $0