• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 448.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX170 advantages over Sony QX30

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 57 mm
    Thinner
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony QX30 advantages over Canon SX170

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 448 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Lighter weight
    193g vs 251g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 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

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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 Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon L610

Canon SX170
Nikon L610
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
Sony QX30
Nikon L610
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon SX160

Canon SX170
Canon SX160
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $146
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
Sony QX30
Canon SX160
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $146
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compared to Nikon S9500

Canon SX170
Nikon S9500
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Sony QX30
Nikon S9500
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Nikon L620

Canon SX170
Nikon L620
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $127
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life
Sony QX30
Nikon L620
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $127
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Canon SX170
Panasonic ZS40
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony QX30
Panasonic ZS40
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
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