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Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VR-320

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Olympus VR-320 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
35
Overall
36

Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VR-320 Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Old Model is Canon SX160 IS
Olympus VR-320
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-300mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 101 x 58 x 29mm
  • Released July 2011
  • Newer Model is Olympus VR-330
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Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VR-320 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Canon SX170 IS and Olympus VR-320, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the VR-320 (14MP) is pretty similar and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was introduced 2 years after the VR-320 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SX170 IS scores versus the VR-320 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Olympus VR-320

 SX170 IS VR-320 
ReleasedAugust 2013July 2011Newer by 26 months
Manually focus More exact focus

Reasons to pick Olympus VR-320 over the Canon SX170 IS

 VR-320 SX170 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Olympus VR-320

 SX170 IS VR-320 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VR-320 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SX170 IS enjoys exterior measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Olympus VR-320 has measurements of 101mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX170 IS and Olympus VR-320 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the SX170 IS and the VR-320.

Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VR-320 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and VR-320 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VR-320 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VR-320 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to picture the difference between sensor dimensions merely by going over a spec sheet. The pic underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SX170 IS and VR-320.

As you can see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Canon SX170 IS to deliver more detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots far more aggressively. The more modern SX170 IS provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VR-320 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VR-320 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VR-320 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography features
Olympus VR-320 Portrait photography features
44
manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
33
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Street photography camera
Olympus VR-320 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (251g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
62
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (158 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography highlights
Olympus VR-320 Sports photography highlights
48
great zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
47
long zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX170 IS
Travel photography with Olympus VR-320
68
lighter than others (251g)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
very long reach (448mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
70
lighter than competition in class (158g)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus VR-320 as a Landscape photography camera
49
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
42
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX170 IS
Vlogging with Olympus VR-320
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
lighter than others (251 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic socket
32
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (158 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone support
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Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VR-320 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Olympus VR-320
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISOlympus VR-320
General Information
Brand Name Canon Olympus
Model Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Olympus VR-320
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-08-22 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 TruePic III
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing 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
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-300mm (12.5x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.0-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 4.70 m
Flash options Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 251g (0.55 pounds) 158g (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 101 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6LH LI-42B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $0 $179