Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VR-320
88 Imaging
40 Features
41 Overall
40


94 Imaging
37 Features
35 Overall
36
Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VR-320 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VR-320 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS & Olympus VR-320. The whole galleries are provided at Canon SX170 IS Gallery & Olympus VR-320 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Olympus VR-320
SX170 IS | VR-320 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2013 | ![]() | July 2011 | Newer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen sizing |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Olympus VR-320 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Olympus 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 |