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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX610 HS

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX610 HS front
Portability
93
Imaging
46
Features
47
Overall
46

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX610 HS 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
  • Released August 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX160 IS
Canon SX610 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.8-6.9) lens
  • 191g - 105 x 61 x 27mm
  • Released January 2015
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX600 HS
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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX610 HS Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Canon SX170 IS versus Canon SX610 HS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both of them are created by Canon. The sensor resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the SX610 HS (20MP) is relatively close and they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was announced 16 months before the SX610 HS which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick view of how the SX170 IS matches up versus the SX610 HS with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon SX610 HS

 SX170 IS SX610 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX610 HS over the Canon SX170 IS

 SX610 HS SX170 IS 
ReleasedJanuary 2015August 2013More recent by 16 months
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX610 HS

 SX170 IS SX610 HS 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX610 HS Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX170 IS has got physical dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Canon SX610 HS has proportions of 105mm x 61mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 191 grams (0.42 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX170 IS versus Canon SX610 HS in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the SX170 IS against the SX610 HS.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX610 HS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and SX610 HS is 88 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX610 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX610 HS Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to visualize the gap in sensor measurements purely by viewing specs. The photograph here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and SX610 HS.

All in all, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can count on the Canon SX610 HS to result in greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older SX170 IS will be behind in sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX610 HS sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX610 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX610 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography details
Canon SX610 HS Portrait photography details
44
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
has face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
44
manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
has face detection focusing
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Street photography camera
Canon SX610 HS as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (251 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (191g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Sports photography camera
Canon SX610 HS as a Sports photography camera
48
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
45
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (2.5 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (270 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Travel photography camera
Canon SX610 HS as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competition (251 grams)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
great zoom (448mm)
missing Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
68
lighter than competitors (191 grams)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (450mm)
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery life (270 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography details
Canon SX610 HS Landscape photography details
49
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Timelapse function
48
manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.8)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery life (270 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Vlogging camera
Canon SX610 HS as a Vlogging camera
31
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than competition (251g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
35
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (191g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.8)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone socket
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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX610 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Canon SX610 HS
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISCanon PowerShot SX610 HS
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Canon PowerShot SX610 HS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-08-22 2015-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.8-6.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 2.5 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, on, slow synchro, off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 251 grams (0.55 lb) 191 grams (0.42 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 105 x 61 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 270 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Retail cost $0 $214