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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX230 HS

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Key Specs

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
  • Launched August 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX160 IS
Canon SX230 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-392mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 223g - 106 x 62 x 33mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • Replaced the Canon SX210 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX240 HS
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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Canon SX170 IS versus Canon SX230 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both are designed by Canon. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and SX230 HS (12MP) but they feature the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was revealed 2 years after the SX230 HS which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SX170 IS matches up against the SX230 HS for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon SX230 HS

 SX170 IS SX230 HS 
LaunchedAugust 2013July 2011Newer by 26 months

Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Canon SX170 IS

 SX230 HS SX170 IS 
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX230 HS

 SX170 IS SX230 HS 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon SX170 IS features outer measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Canon SX230 HS has sizing of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX170 IS versus Canon SX230 HS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the SX170 IS and the SX230 HS.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX230 HS size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX170 IS and SX230 HS is 88 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX230 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to picture the difference in sensor dimensions purely by going through specs. The pic here should give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX170 IS and SX230 HS.

All in all, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Canon SX170 IS to provide more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The younger SX170 IS should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX230 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography highlights
Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography highlights
44
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
34
you can focus manually
has face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX170 IS
Street photography with Canon SX230 HS
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (251 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (223g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX170 IS
Sports photography with Canon SX230 HS
48
amazing zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
supports tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
36
great zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
slow frames per second (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (210 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Travel photography camera
Canon SX230 HS as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competition (251g)
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
great reach (448mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
61
lighter than average in class (223 grams)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
long zoom (392mm)
no Time Lapse function
terrible battery life (210 per charge)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography highlights
Canon SX230 HS Landscape photography highlights
49
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
41
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery life (210 shots)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging advice
Canon SX230 HS Vlogging advice
31
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
lighter than competition (251g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone support
34
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (223 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic socket
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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX230 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX230 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISCanon PowerShot SX230 HS
General Information
Brand Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-08-22 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 28-392mm (14.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD PureColor II TG TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/3200 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 251 grams (0.55 lbs) 223 grams (0.49 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 210 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH NB-5L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $0 $399