• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 448.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1008.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SX170 advantages over Canon SX420 IS

  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 195 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 85 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    0.8 fps vs 0.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Canon SX420 IS advantages over Canon SX170

  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,008 mm vs 448 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More pixels
    20.0 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 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
  • 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 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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Buy the Canon SX420 IS

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
Canon SX420 IS
Nikon L610
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Newer
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

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
Canon SX420 IS
Canon SX160
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Newer
  • $146
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus

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
Canon SX420 IS
Nikon L620
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
  • $127
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon SX400 IS

Canon SX170
Canon SX400 IS
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Wider angle lens
Canon SX420 IS
Canon SX400 IS
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus

Compared to Canon SX410 IS

Canon SX170
Canon SX410 IS
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels
Canon SX420 IS
Canon SX410 IS
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
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