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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX400 IS

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX400 IS front
Portability
81
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX400 IS Key Specs

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
  • Announced August 2013
  • Superseded the Canon SX160 IS
Canon SX400 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 313g - 104 x 69 x 80mm
  • Announced July 2014
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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX400 IS Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX400 IS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both are sold by Canon. The sensor resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the SX400 IS (16MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was manufactured 11 months earlier than the SX400 IS which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SX170 IS scores vs the SX400 IS with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon SX400 IS

 SX170 IS SX400 IS 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Canon SX400 IS over the Canon SX170 IS

 SX400 IS SX170 IS 
AnnouncedJuly 2014August 2013More recent by 11 months

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX400 IS

 SX170 IS SX400 IS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX400 IS Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX170 IS offers outer measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Canon SX400 IS has dimensions of 104mm x 69mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.1") having a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX400 IS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the SX170 IS vs the SX400 IS.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX400 IS size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and SX400 IS is 88 and 81 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX400 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX400 IS Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to envision the difference in sensor measurements only by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph below might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX170 IS and SX400 IS.

As you can see, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of pictures however you will want to factor the release date of the cameras into account. The older SX170 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX400 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX400 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX400 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography info
Canon SX400 IS Portrait photography info
44
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
features face detection autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
35
good megapixels (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography factors
Canon SX400 IS Street photography factors
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (251g)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
52
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography advice
Canon SX400 IS Sports photography advice
48
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
42
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
includes tracking focus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (190 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX170 IS
Travel photography with Canon SX400 IS
68
lighter than average (251 grams)
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
long reach (448mm)
no Timelapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
60
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (190 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX170 IS
Landscape photography with Canon SX400 IS
49
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Timelapse function
40
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery power (190 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging factors
Canon SX400 IS Vlogging factors
31
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
lighter than average (251g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone port
28
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX400 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX400 IS
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISCanon PowerShot SX400 IS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Canon PowerShot SX400 IS
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-08-22 2014-07-29
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
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 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
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) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.4-5.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 0cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, on, off, slow synchro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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) 313 gr (0.69 lb)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 104 x 69 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.1")
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 190 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH NB-11LH
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
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $0 $229