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Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Comparison

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Canon SX160 IS

16 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CCD Sensor

Canon SX160 IS
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Canon SX170 IS

16 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CCD Sensor

Canon SX170 IS
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Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing SX160 IS and SX170 IS, two Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by Canon. Both Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS cameras have 16.0MP 1/2.3-inch sensors. Canon SX160 IS was introduced to market in June 2013 and Canon SX170 IS was launched in August 2013. There is only 2 months difference between SX160 IS and SX170 IS so we are expecting this to be a fair comparison regarding age and technology level.

Here is a brief look at the main features of Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Canon SX160 IS Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2013-06-21
  • 16MP - 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 28-448 mm F3.5-5.9 Zoom Lens
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3" Fixed Type Screen
  • 1 fps continuous shooting
  • HD - 1280 x 720 video resolution
  • 291g. 111 x 73 x 44 mm
  • Replaced Canon PowerShot SX150 IS Compare

Canon SX170 IS Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2013-08-22
  • 16MP - 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 28-448 mm F3.5-5.9 Zoom Lens
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3" Fixed Type Screen
  • 1 fps continuous shooting
  • HD - 1280 x 720 video resolution
  • 251g. 108 x 71 x 44 mm
  • Replaced Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Compare

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Reasons to choose Canon PowerShot SX160 IS over Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
Battery Life
380 shots vs 300 shots 80 more frames with a single charge


Reasons to choose Canon PowerShot SX170 IS over Canon PowerShot SX160 IS
Weight
251 g vs 291 g 40 g lighter

Common Strengths of Canon PowerShot SX160 IS and Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
Image Stabilization
Optical vs Optical Sharper images at longer focal lengths and long exposures
Built-in Flash
Yes vs Yes Useful in low-light
Face Detection Focus
Yes vs Yes very handy for portraits
Manual Focusing
Yes vs Yes both have manual focusing modes
Manual Exposure
Yes vs Yes better exposure control
Focal Length - Tele
448mm vs 448mm Very good Telezoom
Common Weaknesses of Canon PowerShot SX160 IS and Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
Fixed Screen
Fixed Type vs No No flexible viewing angles
External Flash Shoe
No vs No Not suitable for flash photography
Viewfinder
None vs None No eye-level shooting option
RAW Support
No vs No Lower image quality
LCD Screen Resolution
230k dots vs 230k dots Low resolution screens
Continuous Shooting
1.0fps vs 1.0fps Slow shooting speeds
Environmental Sealing
No vs No not suitable for tough conditions
Max Aperture - Tele
5.90 vs 5.90 Slow lenses at tele
Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX170 IS: Physical Specs and Body features Comparison

Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, We are going to illustrate Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Canon SX160 IS has external dimensions of 111 x 73 x 44 mm (4.37 x 2.87 x 1.73″) and weighs 291 g (0.64 lb / 10.26 oz) (including batteries). Canon SX170 IS has external dimensions of 108 x 71 x 44 mm (4.25 x 2.8 x 1.73″) and weighs 251 g (0.55 lb / 8.85 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS. Canon SX170 IS is 3mm narrower and 2mm shorter than Canon SX160 IS but they have the same thickness of 44mm.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Camera Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS.
Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Camera Size Comparison - Top View
Top View Comparison image of Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS Size

Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day.

Weight Comparison

Compact Cameras

SX160 IS
SX170 IS
Min
Average
Max
Thickness Comparison

Compact Cameras

SX160 IS
SX170 IS
Min
Average
Max

Weather Sealing

Unfortunately neither Canon PowerShot SX160 IS nor Canon PowerShot SX170 IS provides any type of weather sealing in their body, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections:
Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing

LCD Screen Size and Features

Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS's LCD screens has the same diagonal size of 3".

Unfortunately, both cameras has fixed screens so they don't tilt or flip in directions.
Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX170 IS: Sensor Comparison

Both Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS have 1/2.3-inch sized 16.0 MP resolution sensors so sensor size and resolution is not a differentiator between these two cameras.

Below you can see the SX160 IS and SX170 IS sensor size comparison.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Sensor Size Comparison
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS Cameras


Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS have sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Lens Specs Comparison

Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS features 28-448 mm F3.5-5.9 16× zoom lenses so they have the same focal range and light collecting ability.

Both cameras have a wide angle coverage of 28mm and have the same max aperture of f3.50 at this focal length. Both cameras have a tele angle reach of 448mm and have the same max aperture of f5.90 at this focal length.

Wide Coverage

Compact Cameras

SX160 IS
SX170 IS
Widest - Ricoh WG-M1
Average
Telezoom

Compact Cameras

SX160 IS
SX170 IS
Longest - Canon SX520 HS
Average
Max Aperture at Tele

Compact Cameras

SX160 IS
SX170 IS
Fastest - Ricoh GR Digital IV
Average
Max Aperture at Wide

Compact Cameras

SX160 IS
SX170 IS
Fastest - Leica D-Lux 6
Average
What types of Photography are Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS Good for?
In this section, we rank and compare Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Canon SX160 IS for Portrait Photography

POOR

Canon SX170 IS for Portrait Photography

POOR
Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Canon SX160 IS for Street Photography

GOOD

Canon SX170 IS for Street Photography

GOOD
Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
28 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
28 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
Read the details

Canon SX160 IS for Sports Photography

POOR

Canon SX170 IS for Sports Photography

POOR
Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
448 mm Tele Lens
Average Max shutter speed: 1/3200s
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Slow Continuous Shooting: 1.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Unknown Focus Points
Slow Lens at Tele: f5.90
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
448 mm Tele Lens
Average Max shutter speed: 1/3200s
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Slow Continuous Shooting: 1.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Unknown Focus Points
Slow Lens at Tele: f5.90
Read the details

Canon SX160 IS for Daily Photography

GOOD

Canon SX170 IS for Daily Photography

GOOD
Compact Body
291g
16.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Body Thickness 44mm
Read the details
Compact Body
251g
16.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Body Thickness 44mm
Read the details

Canon SX160 IS for Landscape Photography

POOR

Canon SX170 IS for Landscape Photography

POOR
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
28 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
28 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Canon SX160 IS vs Canon SX170 IS: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 63 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Canon SX160 IS and Canon SX170 IS scores compare:

Canon SX160 IS
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #185 out of 475 in Compact cameras
Ranked #748 out of 1223 in all Cameras
Canon SX170 IS
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #186 out of 475 in Compact cameras
Ranked #750 out of 1223 in all Cameras

Canon SX160 IS
Canon SX160 IS
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Canon SX170 IS
Canon SX170 IS
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Canon SX170 IS vs Canon SX160 IS Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
Brand Canon Canon
Announced 2013-06-21 2013-08-22
Body Type Compact Compact
Sensor
Type CCD CCD
Size 1/2.3-inch 1/2.3-inch
Dimensions 6.17 x 4.55 mm 6.17 x 4.55 mm
Area 28.07mm2 28.07mm2
Megapixels 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Max Resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max Native Light sensitivity 1,600 ISO 1,600 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity 100 ISO 100 ISO
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points n/a n/a
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens Focal Range 28-448 mm (16×) 28-448 mm (16×)
Max Aperture F3.5-5.9 F3.5-5.9
Macro Focus Range 1cm 1cm
Screen
Type Fixed type Fixed type
Size 3" 3"
Resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder None None
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter 1/3200s 1/3200s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Image Stabilization Optical Optical
Built-in Flash
Flash Range 3.00 m 3.00 m
Max Flash Sync 1/2000s n/a
External Flash
Continuous Shooting 1.0 fps 1.0 fps
Multi-Segment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF-Area
Center Weighted
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution 1280 x 720 1280 x 720
Video Formats H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight 291g 251g
Dimensions 111 x 73 x 44mm 108 x 71 x 44mm
Battery Life 380 shots 300 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS None None
DxO Sensor Scores
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