Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX20 IS
88 Imaging
40 Features
41 Overall
40
![Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Canon-PowerShot-SX170-IS/Canon-SX170-IS-front.jpg)
![Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Canon-PowerShot-SX20-IS/Canon-SX20-IS-front.jpg)
65 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37
Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Key Specs
(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
- Older Model is Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
- 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
- Launched July 2010
- Older Model is Canon SX10 IS
- Updated by Canon SX30 IS
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Overview
Its time to look much closer at the Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX20 IS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and both are produced by Canon. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and SX20 IS (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
The SX170 IS was launched 3 years later than the SX20 IS and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a short summary of how the SX170 IS scores vs the SX20 IS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS and Canon PowerShot SX20 IS. The complete galleries are available at Canon SX170 IS Gallery and Canon SX20 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon SX20 IS
SX170 IS | SX20 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2013 | ![]() | July 2010 | Fresher by 39 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Canon SX170 IS
SX20 IS | SX170 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX20 IS
SX170 IS | SX20 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal display resolution |
Touch display | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch display |
Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Physical Comparison
If you are looking to carry your camera, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX170 IS comes with exterior dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Canon SX20 IS has dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs).
See the Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX20 IS in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the SX170 IS versus the SX20 IS.
![Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX20 IS size comparison Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX20 IS size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-PowerShot-SX170-IS-vs-Canon-PowerShot-SX20-IS-size-comparison.jpg)
Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and SX20 IS is 88 and 65 respectively.
![Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX20 IS top view buttons comparison Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX20 IS top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-PowerShot-SX170-IS-vs-Canon-PowerShot-SX20-IS-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reviewing technical specs. The photograph underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and SX20 IS.
As you have seen, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should anticipate the Canon SX170 IS to deliver more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images far more aggressively. The more recent SX170 IS should have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.
![Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX20 IS sensor size comparison Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX20 IS sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Canon-PowerShot-SX170-IS-vs-Canon-PowerShot-SX20-IS-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Screen and ViewFinder
![Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-PowerShot-SX170-IS-vs-Canon-PowerShot-SX20-IS-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX20 IS Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Canon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Canon PowerShot SX20 IS |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2013-08-22 | 2010-07-06 |
Body design | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 4 | Digic 4 |
Sensor type | CCD | 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 | 16 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 28-560mm (20.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/2.8-5.7 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 0cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 2.5 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 15s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/3200s | 1/3200s |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 6.80 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/500s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | H.264 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
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 | 251 gr (0.55 lb) | 600 gr (1.32 lb) |
Dimensions | 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") |
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 photographs | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-6LH | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail pricing | $0 | $500 |