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Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VG-145

Portability
88
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Olympus VG-145 front
Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
24
Overall
31

Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VG-145 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
  • Superseded the Canon SX160 IS
Olympus VG-145
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 120g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Released July 2011
Photography Glossary

Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VG-145 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Canon SX170 IS and Olympus VG-145, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Canon and Olympus. The resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the VG-145 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was manufactured 2 years later than the VG-145 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Olympus VG-145 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SX170 IS scores versus the VG-145 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Olympus VG-145

 SX170 IS VG-145 
ReleasedAugust 2013July 2011More recent by 26 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-145 over the Canon SX170 IS

 VG-145 SX170 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Olympus VG-145

 SX170 IS VG-145 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VG-145 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX170 IS features outside 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 Olympus VG-145 has measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX170 IS and Olympus VG-145 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the SX170 IS and the VG-145.

Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VG-145 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and VG-145 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VG-145 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VG-145 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to visualize the gap between sensor measurements only by looking at specifications. The graphic below should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and VG-145.

To sum up, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Canon SX170 IS to resolve more detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The more modern SX170 IS provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VG-145 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VG-145 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VG-145 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus VG-145 as a Portrait photography camera
43
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
33
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Street photography camera
Olympus VG-145 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (251 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
48
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX170 IS
Sports photography with Olympus VG-145
48
amazing zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
supports tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
26
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (160 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography highlights
Olympus VG-145 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than others in class (251 grams)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
very long reach (448mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
62
resolution is good (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (160 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX170 IS
Landscape photography with Olympus VG-145
49
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
36
relatively wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery pack (160 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging info
Olympus VG-145 Vlogging info
31
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (251g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
28
relatively wide (26mm)
offers face detection focus
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
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Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VG-145 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Olympus VG-145
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISOlympus VG-145
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Olympus VG-145
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Released 2013-08-22 2011-07-27
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 TruePic III
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 4.40 m
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
WB 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 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 251 grams (0.55 pounds) 120 grams (0.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 shots 160 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $0 $0