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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
Photography Glossary
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