Canon SX170 IS vs Canon XC10

Below is a extensive overview of the Canon SX170 IS and Canon XC10, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact and both of them are offered by Canon. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and XC10 (12MP) and the SX170 IS (1/2.3") and XC10 (1") boast different sensor size.

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The SX170 IS was manufactured 19 months before the XC10 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Canon XC10 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SX170 IS scores versus the XC10 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS and Canon XC10. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon SX170 IS Gallery and Canon XC10 Gallery.

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX170 IS has got outer dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Canon XC10 has proportions of 125mm x 102mm x 122mm (4.9" x 4.0" x 4.8") having a weight of 1040 grams (2.29 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX170 IS and Canon XC10 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the SX170 IS vs the XC10.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and XC10 is 88 and 54 respectively.

Typically, it is very tough to imagine the difference between sensor measurements only by looking at specifications. The graphic here will give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX170 IS and XC10.

Plainly, the two cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SX170 IS featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field harder and the Canon SX170 IS will give you more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The older SX170 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.