Clicky

Canon SX170 IS vs Ricoh GR

Portability
88
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Ricoh GR front
Portability
90
Imaging
56
Features
54
Overall
55

Canon SX170 IS vs Ricoh GR 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
  • Introduced August 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX160 IS
Ricoh GR
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28mm (F2.8) lens
  • 245g - 117 x 61 x 35mm
  • Revealed April 2013
  • Later Model is Ricoh GR II
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Canon SX170 IS vs Ricoh GR Overview

Following is a detailed review of the Canon SX170 IS versus Ricoh GR, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Ricoh. The sensor resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the GR (16MP) is fairly close but the SX170 IS (1/2.3") and GR (APS-C) use different sensor size.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The SX170 IS was revealed 5 months after the GR so they are of a similar age. The two cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Ricoh GR being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SX170 IS grades versus the GR in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Ricoh GR

 SX170 IS GR 

Reasons to pick Ricoh GR over the Canon SX170 IS

 GR SX170 IS 
Display resolution1230k230kCrisper display (+1000k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Ricoh GR

 SX170 IS GR 
RevealedAugust 2013April 2013Same age
Manually focus More exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Canon SX170 IS vs Ricoh GR Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX170 IS has got exterior measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Ricoh GR has dimensions of 117mm x 61mm x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Check the Canon SX170 IS versus Ricoh GR in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the SX170 IS vs the GR.

Canon SX170 IS vs Ricoh GR size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and GR is 88 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Ricoh GR top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Ricoh GR Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizes simply by researching technical specs. The pic underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX170 IS and GR.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have got the exact same MP but different sensor sizes. The SX170 IS uses the smaller sensor which is going to make getting shallow depth of field tougher.

Canon SX170 IS vs Ricoh GR sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Ricoh GR Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Ricoh GR Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX170 IS
Portrait photography with Ricoh GR
43
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
73
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/4,000s)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX170 IS
Street photography with Ricoh GR
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (251 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
74
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (245g)
very good ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Sports photography camera
Ricoh GR as a Sports photography camera
48
excellent zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
44
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
fixed focal length (28mm)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography information
Ricoh GR Travel photography information
68
lighter than others (251 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
great reach (448mm)
missing Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
71
lighter than competition (245g)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX170 IS
Landscape photography with Ricoh GR
49
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
61
you can focus manually
nice screen size (3 inch)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging advice
Ricoh GR Vlogging advice
31
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
lighter than others (251 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
30
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (245g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have microphone port
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera

Canon SX170 IS vs Ricoh GR Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Ricoh GR
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISRicoh GR
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Ricoh
Model Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Ricoh GR
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-08-22 2013-04-17
Body design Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 28mm (1x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8
Macro focus range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 1,230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 300 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 5.40 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/4000 seconds
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 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 ( 60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 251 gr (0.55 lb) 245 gr (0.54 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 117 x 61 x 35mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.5
DXO Low light score not tested 972
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 290 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH DB65
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $0 $971