• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon 170 IS advantages over Olympus TG-4

  • More telephoto lens reach
    300 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 31 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    141g vs 247g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.0 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Olympus TG-4 advantages over Canon 170 IS

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.6
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Higher-res screen
    154k vs 78k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.1 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 170 IS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus TG-4

Review Excerpt

  • Rugged and waterproof camera body; RAW image capture; fast f/2.0 maximum aperture; fun shooting modes; fast AF speeds for its class.

  • Heavy noise reduction, even at base ISO; no continuous RAW image capture; underwhelming video performance.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S3600

Canon 170 IS
Nikon S3600
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Higher extended ISO
Olympus TG-4
Nikon S3600
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner

Compared to Olympus TG-3

Canon 170 IS
Olympus TG-3
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
Olympus TG-4
Olympus TG-3
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compared to Canon 350 HS

Canon 170 IS
Canon 350 HS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $209
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Olympus TG-4
Canon 350 HS
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $209
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Canon 170 IS
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
Olympus TG-4
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • RAW file ability
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 60p video
  • Faster shutter

Compared to Canon 360 HS

Canon 170 IS
Canon 360 HS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $284
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Olympus TG-4
Canon 360 HS
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $284
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
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