• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon A590 IS advantages over Canon 170 IS

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.76 vs 1.20 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.6 vs f/3.6
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 450 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Canon 170 IS advantages over Canon A590 IS

  • Less expensive
    $150 vs $180 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • More telephoto lens reach
    300 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 41 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    9 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    141g vs 221g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    230k vs 115k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    20.0 vs 8.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene

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
  • 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 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
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon A580

Canon A590 IS
Canon A580
  • $219
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Less shutter lag
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon A590 IS vs Canon A580

Canon 170 IS
Canon A580
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Canon A580

Compared to Canon E1

Canon A590 IS
Canon E1
  • $219
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Thinner

Compare Canon A590 IS vs Canon E1

Canon 170 IS
Canon E1
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Canon E1

Compared to Canon A1000 IS

Canon A590 IS
Canon A1000 IS
  • $219
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Thinner

Compare Canon A590 IS vs Canon A1000 IS

Canon 170 IS
Canon A1000 IS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Canon A1000 IS

Compared to Canon 350 HS

Canon A590 IS
Canon 350 HS
  • $219
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $209
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon A590 IS vs Canon 350 HS

Canon 170 IS
Canon 350 HS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $209
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Canon 350 HS

Compared to Canon 360 HS

Canon A590 IS
Canon 360 HS
  • $219
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $347
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon A590 IS vs Canon 360 HS

Canon 170 IS
Canon 360 HS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $347
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Canon 360 HS

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