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Canon SX170 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Leica V-Lux 4 front
Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46

Canon SX170 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 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
  • Previous Model is Canon SX160 IS
Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 588g - 125 x 87 x 110mm
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Succeeded the Leica V-Lux 3
  • Updated by Leica V-Lux 5
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Canon SX170 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Canon SX170 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Canon and Leica. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and V-Lux 4 (12MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was introduced 12 months later than the V-Lux 4 so they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Leica V-Lux 4 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SX170 IS matches up against the V-Lux 4 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Leica V-Lux 4

 SX170 IS V-Lux 4 
RevealedAugust 2013September 2012More recent by 12 months

Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Canon SX170 IS

 V-Lux 4 SX170 IS 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Leica V-Lux 4

 SX170 IS V-Lux 4 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Touch display Absent Touch display

Canon SX170 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX170 IS comes with physical measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Leica V-Lux 4 has dimensions of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") with a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs).

See the Canon SX170 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the SX170 IS against the V-Lux 4.

Canon SX170 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SX170 IS and V-Lux 4 is 88 and 65 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to picture the gap in sensor measurements just by looking through technical specs. The visual here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX170 IS and V-Lux 4.

As you can tell, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can expect to see the Canon SX170 IS to render extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images way more aggressively. The fresher SX170 IS provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX170 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Leica V-Lux 4 as a Portrait photography camera
44
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
45
has manual focus
provides face detect focus
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX170 IS
Street photography with Leica V-Lux 4
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (251g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
57
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (588g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography details
Leica V-Lux 4 Sports photography details
48
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
46
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery pack (540 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography info
Leica V-Lux 4 Travel photography info
68
lighter than competition in class (251g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
great zoom (448mm)
no Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
55
better than average battery pack (540 shots)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (588g)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography information
Leica V-Lux 4 Landscape photography information
49
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse mode
48
has manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (540 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging information
Leica V-Lux 4 Vlogging information
31
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (251 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone port
63
fairly wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes mic jack
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competition in class (588 grams)
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Canon SX170 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Leica V-Lux 4
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISLeica V-Lux 4
General Information
Company Canon Leica
Model Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Leica V-Lux 4
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-08-22 2012-09-17
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
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
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT Color LCD Free-Angle TFT Screen LCD Display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,312 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 13.50 m
Flash options Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
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 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 251g (0.55 pounds) 588g (1.30 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3")
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 shots 540 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $0 $899