| key specs |
| Camera Type | Digital Camera | DSLR Camera |
| Effective Pixels | 20 MP | 16 MP |
| Sensor Type | CCD | CCD |
| Display Size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Battery Type | Lithium ion | Lithium ion |
| general |
| Brand | Canon | Canon |
| Model | PowerShot SX420IS 20MP Digital Camera | PowerShot SX170 16MP DSLR Camera |
| Model Name | PowerShot SX420IS | PowerShot SX170 |
| Series | PowerShot | PowerShot |
| Color | Red | Black |
| Type | Digital Camera | DSLR Camera |
| Effective Pixels | 20 MP | 16 MP |
| Dimensions(WxHxD) | 35.6 x 30.7 x 12.2 cm | 108 x 71 x 48.9 mm |
| Face Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Temperature | 0 to 40 | 0 to 40 |
| Model Number | - | SX170 |
| Weight | - | 228 GM |
| sensor features |
| Sensor Type | CCD | CCD |
| ISO Rating | ISO 100 - 800 | - |
| Maximum ISO | 800 ISO | 1600 ISO |
| lens features |
| Optical Zoom | 42x | 16x |
| Aperture Range | F3.5 - F6.6 | F3.5 - F8.0 W, F5.9 - F8.0 T |
| Other Lens Features | Image Stabilizer IS System Lens-shift Type, Aperture Type Iris Diaphragm, F/Number f/3.5 - f/8.0 W, f/6.6 - f/8.0 T, 42x Optical Zoom 24 mm - 1008 mm with 84x ZoomPlus | - |
| Focal Length | - | 5.0 - 80.0 mm 35 mm Equivalent to 28 - 448 mm |
| focus features |
| Focus Mode | Autofocus Continuous, Servo AF | - |
| Focus Range | 0 cm - Infinity W, 1.4 m - Infinity T, Macro 0 - 50 cm W | - |
| Auto Focus | Yes | Yes |
| Metering Modes | Evaluative, Center-weighted Average, Spot | Evaluative, Center-weighted Average, Spot |
| Other Focus Features | AF Frame Face AiAF, Center, Tracking AF | - |
| shutter features |
| Continuous Shots | Continuous Shooting AUTO, P Mode 0.5 Shots/sec, Low Light Mode 2.2 Shots/sec | Yes, 0.8 fps P Mode, 3.2 fps Low Light Mode |
| Shutter Speed | - | 1/3200 sec |
| Self-timer | - | Yes |
| flash features |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Flash Modes | Auto, On, Slow Synchro, Off | Auto, On, Slow Synchro, Off |
| Other Flash Features | - | External Flash EX-series Speedlite |
| image features |
| Aspect Ratio | 40300 AM | 169, 32, 43, 11 |
| Image Stabilizer | Yes | Yes |
| Image Sizing | - | 4608 x 3456 L |
| Still Image Size | - | 3246 x 2448 Medium 1, 1600 x 1200 Medium 2, 640 x 480 Small |
| Slow Motion | - | Yes |
| display features |
| Display Size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| LCD Display Image Resolution | 230000 dots | 230000 dots |
| Display Resolution | - | 230,000 dots |
| LCD Display Video Resolution | - | 1280 x 720 |
| connectivity features |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| storage and power features |
| Power Supply | Battery Pack NB-11LH | - |
| Battery Type | Lithium ion | Lithium ion |
| Batteries Included | - | Yes |
| modes and functions features |
| Shooting Modes | Auto, P, Live View Control, Portrait, Face Self-timer, Low Light, Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Fireworks, Long Shutter, Shooting Movies is Possible with the Movie Button | M, Av, Tv, P, Live View Control, Auto, SCN, Creative Filters, Discreet, Movie |
| HD Support | - | Yes |
| Macro Mode | - | Yes, 1 - 50 cm W |