• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon 170 IS advantages over Sony RX100 VII

  • More telephoto lens reach
    300 mm vs 200 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 42 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    141g vs 302g
    Lighter weight

Sony RX100 VII advantages over Canon 170 IS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.20 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.6
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 260 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    5 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    307k 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
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 170 IS

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
Sony RX100 VII
Nikon S3600
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

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
Sony RX100 VII
Canon 350 HS
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $209
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic ZS100

Canon 170 IS
Panasonic ZS100
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony RX100 VII
Panasonic ZS100
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

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
Sony RX100 VII
Canon 360 HS
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $284
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Canon 170 IS
Sony RX100 VI
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Thinner
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony RX100 VII
Sony RX100 VI
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • External Mic Jack
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster JPEG shooting
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