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Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX170 IS

Portability
86
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Key Specs

Canon SX160 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
  • 291g - 111 x 73 x 44mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Older Model is Canon SX150 IS
  • Replacement is Canon SX170 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
  • Previous Model is Canon SX160 IS
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Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both are sold by Canon. The image resolution of the SX160 IS (16MP) and the SX170 IS (16MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX160 IS was introduced 2 months prior to the SX170 IS and they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short summation of how the SX160 IS matches up vs the SX170 IS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX160 IS over the Canon SX170 IS

 SX160 IS SX170 IS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon SX160 IS

 SX170 IS SX160 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS

 SX160 IS SX170 IS 
LaunchedJune 2013August 2013Same generation
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SX160 IS enjoys physical measurements of 111mm x 73mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") along with a weight of 291 grams (0.64 lbs) whilst the Canon SX170 IS has proportions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs).

See the Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the SX160 IS vs the SX170 IS.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX170 IS size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX160 IS and SX170 IS is 86 and 88 respectively.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX170 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions simply by going through technical specs. The pic below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX160 IS and SX170 IS.

As you have seen, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact resolution and you should expect comparable quality of photographs but you have to factor the production date of the cameras into account.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX170 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Portrait photography features
Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography features
46
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has face detect focusing
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
44
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Street photography information
Canon SX170 IS Street photography information
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (291 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (251g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Sports photography camera
Canon SX170 IS as a Sports photography camera
51
excellent zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has tracking focus
better than average battery pack (380 shots)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
48
excellent zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX160 IS Travel photography info
Canon SX170 IS Travel photography info
69
better than average battery pack (380 per charge)
lighter than average (291g)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
long zoom (448mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
68
lighter than others (251 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
very long reach (448mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX160 IS
Landscape photography with Canon SX170 IS
51
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
better than average battery pack (380 shots)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse function
49
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX160 IS as a Vlogging camera
Canon SX170 IS as a Vlogging camera
31
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than average (291g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than others (251g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
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Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS
 Canon PowerShot SX160 ISCanon PowerShot SX170 IS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-06-21 2013-08-22
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 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
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 28-448mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/3200s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 291g (0.64 lb) 251g (0.55 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.7") 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 380 pictures 300 pictures
Form of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $199 $0