Olympus XZ-1 vs Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Olympus XZ-1

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS
      60
      Image cannot be found
      51
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Olympus XZ-1 and the Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Olympus XZ-1 was introduced in January 2011 and Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS was introduced in January 2015. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Olympus XZ-1 Highlights

      • 10 MP 1/1.63-inch CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points (11 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 614k dot Fixed Screen
      • 2.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS Highlights

      • 20 MP 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.70" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • 0.8 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Olympus XZ-1
      4. Advantage of Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Olympus XZ-1 and Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS.

      PROS

      Olympus XZ-1

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      •   Video Capture
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 275 g (0.61 lb / 9.70 oz)
      •   Internal Storage
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Cheap
      •   Video Capture
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Light - 141 g (0.31 lb / 4.97 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Olympus XZ-1

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 614k dot
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.0 fps
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 34
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Olympus XZ-1

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Sensor Resolution - 20 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.70"

      Advantage of Olympus XZ-1

      Olympus XZ-1
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus XZ-1 over Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS.

      Olympus XZ-1 vs Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS
      Larger Sensor 1/1.63-inch vs 1/2.3-inch
      Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 1,600
      RAW Support vs
      More Focus Points 11 vs 9
      Maximum Aperture at Wide End f/1.8 vs f/3.6
      Maximum Aperture at Tele End f/2.5 vs f/7.0
      Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.70"
      Higher Resolution Screen 614k dot vs 230k dot
      Viewfinder Electronic (optional) vs
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 60 sec vs 15 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 2.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
      External Flash Connectivity vs
      Manual Exposure Mode vs
      Aperture Priority vs
      Shutter Priority vs
      HDMI Output Type D Mini vs
      Built-in Microphone Stereo vs Mono
      Longer Battery Life 320 shots vs 200 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus XZ-1.

      Olympus XZ-10
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      12 MP

      Olympus XZ-2 iHS
      Image cannot be found

      1/1.7-inch

      12 MP

      Fujifilm XP50
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      14.4 MP

      Pentax K-70
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Samsung TL100
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.33-inch

      12 MP

      Nikon P80
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.33-inch

      10 MP

      Panasonic FH7
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.33-inch

      16 MP

      Sony HX90V
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      18.2 MP

      Panasonic FH20
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.33-inch

      14.1 MP

      Canon SX520 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Sigma DP2x
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      14.06 MP

      Sony HX80
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      18.2 MP

      Advantage of Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Canon 170 IS
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS over Olympus XZ-1.

      Olympus XZ-1 vs Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS
      Higher Sensor Resolution 10 Megapixel vs 20 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 3664 x 2752 vs 5152 x 3864
      Center Autofocus vs
      Continuous Autofocus vs
      Reaches Wider Angle 28 mm vs 25 mm
      Reachs More Telephoto 112 mm vs 300 mm
      Greater Optical Zoom 4x vs 12x
      Min Normal Focus Distance 60 cm vs 5 cm
      Lighter 275 g (0.61 lb / 9.70 oz) vs 141 g (0.31 lb / 4.97 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS.

      Canon ELPH 330 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon 190 IS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      20 MP

      Canon ELPH 180
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      20 MP

      Canon 360 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      20.3 MP

      Canon ELPH 130 IS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Canon 350 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      20.2 MP

      Canon ELPH 115 IS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16.0 MP

      Canon ELPH 510 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon ELPH 160
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      20 MP

      Canon ELPH 530 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      10.1 MP

      Canon ELPH 300 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon ELPH 310 HS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Olympus XZ-1 Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS
        Video Capture
        High Native ISO6,4001,600
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        Image Stabilization
        Built-in Flash
        Light275 g (0.61 lb / 9.70 oz)141 g (0.31 lb / 4.97 oz)
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Olympus XZ-1 Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS
        Small Sensor1/1.63-inch1/2.3-inch
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Focus Points119
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen614k dot230k dot
        Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/2000 sec1/2000 sec
        Low Max Continuous Shooting2.0 fps0.8 fps
        Low Video Resolution1280 x 7201280 x 720
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing
        Short Battery Life320 shots200 shots

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Olympus XZ-1 has a 3.0" screen with 614k dot resolution and Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS has a 2.70" screen with 230k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.

      Camera does not have a built-in viewfinder but an optional electronic viewfinder can be attached on Olympus XZ-1.

      Sensor

      Olympus XZ-1 features a 10 megapixel 1/1.63-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 8.07 x 5.56 mm and a total area of 44.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400. Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS features a 20 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600.

      Photography Features

      Olympus XZ-1 is equipped with TruePic V processor and can take pictures up to 3664 x 2752 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3648 x 2736, 3648 x 2056, 3648 x 2432, 3200 x 2400, 3200 x 1800, 3216 x 2144, 2736 x 2736, 2400 x 2400, 2560 x 1920, 2560 x 1440, 2544 x 1696, 1920 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1536 x 864, 1584 x 1056, 1296 x 864, 1280 x 960, 1280 x 720, 1216 x 1216, 1024 x 768, 1024 x 576, 1008 x 672, 960 x 960, 768 x 768, 640 x 480, 640 x 360, 624 x 416, 480 x 480 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS is equipped with DIGIC 4+ processor and can take pictures up to 5152 x 3864 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 5152 x 2896 (16:9), 3648 x 2736, 2048 x 1536, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      Image Stabilization

      The cameras have a built-in [y] image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Olympus XZ-1 comes with Li-50B battery pack with battery life of 320 shots and Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS comes with NB-11L/LH battery pack with battery life of 200 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Cameras have a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec on Olympus XZ-1, and up to 1/2000 sec on Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS. Olympus XZ-1 can shoot continuously up to 2.0 fps. Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS can shoot continuously up to 0.8 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 8.60 m ISO 800 on Olympus XZ-1 and 4.00 m on Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS. Olympus XZ-1 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Wireless connection..

      Physical Parameters

      Olympus XZ-1 body has dimensions of 111 x 65 x 42 mm (4.37 x 2.56 x 1.65") and Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS body has dimensions of 100 x 58 x 23 mm (3.94 x 2.28 x 0.91"). Olympus XZ-1 weighs 275 g (0.61 lb / 9.70 oz) and Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS weighs 141 g (0.31 lb / 4.97 oz).

      Olympus XZ-1

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      111 mm

      65 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      100 mm

      58 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Olympus XZ-1 and Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      Olympus XZ-1 and Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Olympus XZ-1

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 614k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      50
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Olympus XZ-1

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 614k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      71
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Olympus XZ-1

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 614k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      71
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Olympus XZ-1

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      GOOD
      79
      •   Small Sensor
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 614k dot
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      71
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.70"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Olympus XZ-1

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      GOOD
      82
      •   Small Sensor
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 614k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 275 g (0.61 lb / 9.70 oz)
      GOOD
      84
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 141 g (0.31 lb / 4.97 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Olympus XZ-1

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 614k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 275 g (0.61 lb / 9.70 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots
      EXCELLENT
      87
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 141 g (0.31 lb / 4.97 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Olympus XZ-1 and Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS and give them scores of 60 and 51 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Olympus XZ-1

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      OVERALL
      60
      OVERALL
      51

      Sensor

      Olympus XZ-1

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 34
      POOR
      47
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 20 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Olympus XZ-1

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      GOOD
      70
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.0 fps
      AVERAGE
      61
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Olympus XZ-1

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720

      Focusing

      Olympus XZ-1

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      AVERAGE
      61
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Olympus XZ-1

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 614k dot
      POOR
      50
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.70"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Olympus XZ-1

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      BAD
      36
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Olympus XZ-1

      Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

      POOR
      43
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 275 g (0.61 lb / 9.70 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots
      •   Internal Storage
      POOR
      45
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 141 g (0.31 lb / 4.97 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

      Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
      ZKelectronics is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon (.com, .co.uk, .ca, etc) and any other websites that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.