• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 504.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Olympus SZ-10 advantages over Canon 170 IS

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.44 vs 1.20 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.1 vs f/3.6
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • More telephoto lens reach
    504 mm vs 300 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    0.9 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Canon 170 IS advantages over Olympus SZ-10

  • Less expensive
    $150 vs $250 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 37 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    9 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    141g vs 215g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.0 vs 14.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

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
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 170 IS

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon SX230 HS

Olympus SZ-10
Canon SX230 HS
  • $224
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $269
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
Canon 170 IS
Canon SX230 HS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $269
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Olympus SZ-30MR

Olympus SZ-10
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $224
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bulb shutter
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 1080p video
Canon 170 IS
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Olympus SZ-31MR

Olympus SZ-10
Olympus SZ-31MR
  • $224
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bulb shutter
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen
Canon 170 IS
Olympus SZ-31MR
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Canon 350 HS

Olympus SZ-10
Canon 350 HS
  • $224
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $209
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Canon 170 IS
Canon 350 HS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $209
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compared to Canon 360 HS

Olympus SZ-10
Canon 360 HS
  • $224
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $284
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Canon 170 IS
Canon 360 HS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $284
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Compare Other Cameras?