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Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung HZ15W

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Samsung HZ15W front
Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
31
Overall
32

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung HZ15W 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
  • Launched August 2013
  • Superseded the Canon SX160 IS
Samsung HZ15W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.3-5.8) lens
  • 249g - 105 x 61 x 37mm
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Also referred to as WB550
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Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung HZ15W Overview

The following is a extensive assessment of the Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung HZ15W, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Samsung. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and HZ15W (12MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX170 IS was released 4 years after the HZ15W which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SX170 IS grades against the HZ15W with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Samsung HZ15W

 SX170 IS HZ15W 
IntroducedAugust 2013February 2009Newer by 55 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ15W over the Canon SX170 IS

 HZ15W SX170 IS 
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Samsung HZ15W

 SX170 IS HZ15W 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung HZ15W Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SX170 IS enjoys exterior dimensions 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 Samsung HZ15W has proportions of 105mm x 61mm x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung HZ15W in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the SX170 IS vs the HZ15W.

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung HZ15W size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and HZ15W is 88 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung HZ15W top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung HZ15W Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor dimensions merely by going over a spec sheet. The picture here should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and HZ15W.

As you can see, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should expect the Canon SX170 IS to offer you more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more modern SX170 IS should have an edge in sensor tech.

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung HZ15W sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung HZ15W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography factors
Samsung HZ15W Portrait photography factors
44
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
supports face detection focus
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
31
focusing manually
has face detection focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Street photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (251 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than average (249 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Sports photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Sports photography camera
48
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography advice
Samsung HZ15W Travel photography advice
68
lighter than competitors (251 grams)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
long reach (448mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
54
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than average (249 grams)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung HZ15W as a Landscape photography camera
49
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse function
40
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX170 IS
Vlogging with Samsung HZ15W
31
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
lighter than competitors (251 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic support
28
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic support
heavier than average (249g)
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Canon SX170 IS vs Samsung HZ15W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Samsung HZ15W
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISSamsung HZ15W
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Samsung
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Samsung HZ15W
Also Known as - WB550
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-08-22 2009-02-23
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.3-5.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 16 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 4.70 m
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 251 gr (0.55 pounds) 249 gr (0.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 105 x 61 x 37mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $0 $330