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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX40 HS

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS front
Portability
64
Imaging
36
Features
50
Overall
41

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX40 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
  • Introduced August 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX160 IS
Canon SX40 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 600g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Announced September 2011
  • Succeeded the Canon SX30 IS
  • Renewed by Canon SX50 HS
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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX40 HS Overview

Let's look closer at the Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX40 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both are manufactured by Canon. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and SX40 HS (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was revealed 24 months after the SX40 HS making them a generation away from each other. Both cameras have different body design with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Canon SX40 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SX170 IS grades vs the SX40 HS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon SX40 HS

 SX170 IS SX40 HS 
AnnouncedAugust 2013September 2011Newer by 24 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Canon SX40 HS over the Canon SX170 IS

 SX40 HS SX170 IS 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX40 HS

 SX170 IS SX40 HS 
Manually focus More exact focus
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX40 HS Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX170 IS has physical dimensions 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 SX40 HS has sizing of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX40 HS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the SX170 IS and the SX40 HS.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX40 HS size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SX170 IS and SX40 HS is 88 and 64 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX40 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX40 HS Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions only by going through specs. The picture below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX170 IS and SX40 HS.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Canon SX170 IS to show greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The fresher SX170 IS is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX40 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX40 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX40 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX170 IS
Portrait photography with Canon SX40 HS
44
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
41
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000 seconds)
offers face detect focus
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography highlights
Canon SX40 HS Street photography highlights
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (251g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
49
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
more heavy than competition (600 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography highlights
Canon SX40 HS Sports photography highlights
48
excellent zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
43
amazing zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery (380 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography highlights
Canon SX40 HS Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than average (251 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
long zoom (448mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
55
better than average battery (380 shots)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
really wide (24mm)
great reach (840mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (600g)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography features
Canon SX40 HS Landscape photography features
49
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
38
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery (380 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging highlights
Canon SX40 HS Vlogging highlights
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than average (251 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone support
57
really wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
lack of microphone socket
more heavy than competition (600g)
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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX40 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX40 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISCanon PowerShot SX40 HS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Canon PowerShot SX40 HS
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-08-22 2011-09-15
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-840mm (35.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.7-5.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 0cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT Color LCD PureColor II VA TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/3200 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 7.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/2000 seconds
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) 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 file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 251g (0.55 pounds) 600g (1.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3")
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 photos 380 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH NB-10L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $0 $330