• 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.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon 170 IS advantages over Ricoh WG-5 GPS

  • Less expensive
    $150 vs $380 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    300 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 32 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    141g vs 236g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.0 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Ricoh WG-5 GPS 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 240 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
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.5 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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 Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Review Excerpt

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
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
Nikon S3600
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Canon 170 IS
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch

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
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
Olympus TG-3
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

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
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
Canon 350 HS
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $209
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

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
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
Canon 360 HS
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $284
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
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