• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 30.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Canon 170 IS advantages over Canon 5D Mark IV

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 75 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    141g vs 890g
    Lighter weight

Canon 5D Mark IV advantages over Canon 170 IS

  • Larger sensor
    35mm 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
    ~ 5.36 vs 1.20 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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 GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 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
  • 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
    540k vs 78k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    30.4 vs 20.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • 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
    7.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera

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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 170 IS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 5D Mark IV

Review Excerpt

  • Superb image quality from RAW files; Improved dynamic range; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 7fps burst rate with unlimited JPEG buffer; High-quality cinema 4K video; Built-in Wi-Fi; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is very good.

  • JPEG files look soft at default settings; 1/200s flash sync; 4K video codec is cumbersome; 29:59 continuous video recording limit.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 170 IS
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D810

Canon 170 IS
Nikon D810
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon 5D Mark IV
Nikon D810
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash

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
Canon 5D Mark IV
Nikon S3600
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash

Compared to Canon 350 HS

Canon 170 IS
Canon 350 HS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $209
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon 350 HS
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $209
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon 360 HS
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $284
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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