Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Digital Camera, Black, 16MP, 16x Optical Zoom, Optical Image Stabilizer, 720p HD Video, SmartAUTO Picture

SKU: ICASX170BK

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Q&A

Questions & Answers

Allan R : what PC OS system is it compatible with ?MICHAEL H : I don't know the system.JOHN T : No problem with my windows 7
Shopper : How to take pictures in the dark . Is there a flash button I need to press ?ALFRED C : Set the camera on Auto and press the flash-release button; the camera will take the picture in the dark. There is also a "night" setting that you can use if you don't want to use the flash. The camera will adjust exposure time and film speed setting automatically; but you will have to use a tripod because the exposure will be long.
Shopper : how do you put wrist strap on camera ?MICHAEL H : Good camera! Good for the astrophotography! Good for sports!JOHN T : Sorry, I never used the wrist strap on that camera.

Reviews about this item

Review Summary

2016-07-13T20:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

A lot of features. After 1 years use

I bought this a year ago refurbished and it works perfectly. I have taken a few thousand pictures with it and am very pleased with them. Some of the pictures have made into magazines and shown on two sports tv shows. Right place at the right time maybe, impressive quality also. It is a great point and shoot. More features than I will ever need.

Uncle

2015-11-08T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Everyday use for a photographer who is broke

I got this 2years ago, I have used it for photography jobs and people absolutely have loved the pictures it takes. Pros- good zoom, decent quality, long battery life, and easy to see display Cons- poor low light pictures, focusing range isn't grand at medium distances when zoomed, and lens can get dust on inner elements.

Danny

2015-09-24T20:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Great Camera!

High quality photos and video. The automatic setting is able to handle varying conditions quickly. The focus is sharp. Battery life is real good. On/off is fast. Menu is easy to navigate and makes sense. Both macro and telephoto look wonderful. The anti-shake works very well. I'm having an easy time using this camera. Also the sound quality on the video is very good.

Ron G.

2015-09-20T20:00:00

Rated 3 out of 5

The compact zoomer

GOOD: It's reasonably priced, it has a big optical range, Intelligent IS works very well, it's reasonably compact and lightweight, etc. BAD: Image quality is sub-par, the lens has a very dim max aperture range (F3.5-5.9, there is no way to reposition the AF point, 720p is the highest movie resolution available, the LCD is decently sized at 3.0"---but it's grainy and has a weird negative image effect if tilted too far, shot-to-shot times are sluggish, it's not fast enough for moving subjects, etc. VERDICT: Optical reach is this camera's main claim to fame, and it does so at a reasonable price with manual controls thrown in for good measure. If you're not picky about speed and image quality, this could be a great choice for you.

mlo68

2015-07-16T20:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Great gift

I must say, this is a great camera. I got it as a gift about 2 years ago and loved it. The videos were smooth and the pictures came out great. The only things that were a problem to me were that there was no sports setting, so any pictures of people running turned out blurry for me. The fact that there also wasn't a low light function also frustrated me. (There also isn't a mic jack, so you're stuck with the decent pinhole microphone) Overall, I loved the camera because it worked in nearly every situation from family portraits to nature shots.

Bruce

2015-06-15T20:00:00

Rated 1 out of 5

worst batteries ever

Camera worked just fine -- proprietary batteries were terrible. I upgraded from a SX150, which used 2 AA batteries. Using rechargeable batteries gave me long life, very inexpensive power. The SX170 uses Canon proprietary battery. I bought a backup battery for big bucks. I then went to a sporting event -- and a got less than 90 minutes from each battery. After 3 hours of use, my camera was dead. Stick to model SX160 or one that uses AA batteries. These terrible (low life, high cost batteries have rendered my camera almost useless. I scrapped my SX170 and went back and bought a SX160.

davey

2015-04-16T20:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Buy it

The powershot Sx170 is black is an amazing camera but, it dose have a few cons like, its fragile , battery life ( last about 4-6hrs of continuous use but has a easy rechargeable battery), and the focus the focus could be better, but over all this is worth it , also this is a great camera for beginning photographer.

Ash

2015-02-08T19:00:00

Rated 1 out of 5

disappointed

I had the older version of Power shot. I took pictures everywhere, great pictures, and wonderful shots of moving grandsons at ballgames. However, the Power Hot SX170 IS is extremely disappointing. Blurry photos, even with still shots. I have gone online to the manual and no adjustment improves the pictures. I wish I could have the old one back...a student dropped it taking a graduation picture.

JJ

2014-11-24T19:00:00

Rated 1 out of 5

Poor Quality

With only about a dozen uses to take family photos, the whole front lense protection assembly literally fell off. I pressed the on button and the lense extends. At that moment the round lense cover cap fell off and the 4 little shutter covers that expand and contract with the opening or closing of the lense, literally fell off. Pretty shabby. Not pleased at all. I've had Canon cameras for decades. Never thought the quality of this product would be so low.

elpalone

2014-10-23T20:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Previous camera was better

PowerShot SX170 IS is my 3rd camera, the 1st one was a PowerShot S90, the best camera for me, the second was a PowerShot S100

juju

2014-08-20T20:00:00

Rated 3 out of 5

A step down from the previous model...

I have owned a Canon SX100is for many years and it is the best camera I have ever owned. It has taken a beating and been dropped, thrown, left out in the rain, and still worked as good as new until finally the LCD display began having issues. I decided it was time to retire that camera and purchased the latest model expecting it to be just as reliable and even better at taking photo's and video. I purchased the Canon SX170is in April of this year with plans to use it as my primary camera on my 6,000 mile road trip. The picture quality is great on this camera but the video quality is horrible. Where the old SX100is would focus instantly, the SX170is has those delayed moments of blur. As a stationary camera it does better with focusing but still has its blurry moments. I found myself bringing out the old SX100is time and time again and after the battery packs in the SX170is die (I bought a spare, I can keep filming with the old SX100is and it last for days when using AA lithium batteries. Its also easier to just keep extra AA batteries in your pocket than it is to wait for battery packs to charge. Today I attempted to film another Jeep "how to" video with the SX170is and it still couldn't stay in focus. I once again ended up bringing out the old SX100is and it filmed the same footage perfectly in focus. The SX100is is also much easier to hold with one hand since it has a thicker housing. I am now giving up on the Canon SX170is for video and planning on repairing the old SX100is. That camera has more than paid for itself with the videos I have filmed with it and its time I return the favor and fix it. If you are planning on buying a Canon SX170is camera, at the very least look for the previous model SX160is as it is the same camera but still uses AA batteries. I have seen several still available at many major retailers.

JeepCollector91

2014-08-12T20:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Awesome Camera

Totally impressed with this camera. I was showing my son craters on the moon from the photos I took. YES, it's that good!

Jdl04

2014-07-16T20:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Nice little camera

This is a nice little camera with a good set of features. I wish it had a smaller aperture that f/8. Not a whole lot of control when trying to exercise "creative" control.

Barry

2014-05-19T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Great for small hands

I brought this as a gift for a nine year that has small hands. This power shot is perfect for her as a beginner in photography

Noelle's C.

2014-03-17T21:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Good Little Camera for the Money

Camera being used by our engineering department to document events in our manufacturing facility. Video capability in such a small device is a nice and useful option. Manual deployment of the flash is the only drawback.

STEPHEN M.

2014-02-27T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Best Purchase ever

I love this camera. I bought it, at a major retail store. It is very user friend. The quality of the zoom and the megapixels have to be seen to be believed for the quality pictures. I shared the camera with those at work, and we could see and take pictures of the cars across the street, the stadium and the parking lot, like we were looking at it. While is it not a DSLR camera, it is as close as you get, without the cost or the complexity. My only recommendation would be to make it a little slender but it really is not that bulky, plus the flash is manual and will only come on once it is manually flipped. Really, these are such minor things on the camera, that they are not even worth complaining about. Plus the rechargeable battery holds the charge for a long time. I love this camera.

john

2014-01-11T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Best Camera Ever!

I really like the size of the camera. It is like a mini "fancy camera." For my school i am in a yearbook class and taking pictures is extremely easy. The only thing that is complicated about it is that the settings are difficult once you first get it. But overall i really like this camera! :)

Jake

2014-01-04T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

I had no idea!

I recommend reading the Manuel online I had no idea this camera I just got for my birthday could do so much! Takes way better pictures than my iPhone. I am more than satisfied with this camera.

Mindblown

2013-12-27T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Very Pleased

I am pleased to have purchased this camera. It is an excellent choice to capture those precious family moments or events. To this end, the video function and quality is excellent. It is also a great choice to hone one's desire toward a more serious or "professional" photograph. This is accomplished with vast, yet easy-to-use features, that produce some of the most crisp photos I have ever taken. In this regard, the latter features make this camera a good choice to make that transition from "amateur" to "professional". I would like to see some additional accessories included; perhaps a carrying case. Then again, it's understood you're purchasing a "real" camera; far removed from the typical "throw camera" purse or pocket book accessory. Yes, an abundance of features that may seem intimidating at first glance but, in the end, very much appreciated. Thanks Canon! You hit the bulls-eye with this one!

Edison

2013-12-27T19:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Great camera so far

I've had this camera for about a month. It is replacing a Canon PS A710IS, which has served me flawlessly for several years. The A710 still works great, but being it's only 7.1 megapixels, I decided to upgrade to the SX170IS. So far I haven't been disappointed. The SX170 has the same features as my old camera, including full manual control. This was important to me. I have a much more expensive Canon digital SLR, but this camera is my everyday and travel camera and I like the flexibility. So far, I've seen no trouble with battery life. The A710 used 2 AA batteries, so they were always readily available if my rechargeable sets died, so I was a bit hesitent to move to a proprietary battery. I ordered an extra battery which I keep charged and I think it will be okay. I haven't even run down a battery fully yet. One of the only cons I've found with this camera is that some settings are done by rotating the wheel on the back of the camera. This wheel also allows you to press on 4 sides (N, S, E, W) to control other functions. The problem is when trying to rotate the wheel, it's really easy to accidentally press it. You have to rotate it very gingerly and it seems I always end up pressing something I shouldn't and getting another setting that I have to cancel and try and go back to rotating the wheel. The wheel doesn't turn so easily, so you almost have to apply pressure. This could be a problem if you are really in a hurry to get a shot, but need to adjust a setting that uses the wheel. The only other thing, which is not a big deal, is you have to manually flip the flash up to use it. It would be nice if it could automatically pop up if needed.

bruceh

2013-12-25T19:00:00

Rated 1 out of 5

Poor Quality Images with Noise

I received this camera as a Christmas gift from my husband to replace my Canon Powershot A620 (7.1 mp) camera. After taking several shots of family using the Auto feature with both the flash and without a flash, the pictures came out very grainy with noise. Images appeared to be washed out. I compared these photos with the photos taken in the same lighting conditions with my old A620 and my old A620 took much clearer shots. So disappointed since I expected this camera since it has more features than my old camera (IS, 16 mp etc.).

rg2001

2013-12-24T19:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Good Canon Product

This is my third Canon camera. Haven't had it very long but so far it takes great pictures. Like the optical zoom and size of display. Size of camera fits the hand; however, the weight of the camera is a bit heavy. Would be nice if the flash was automatic without flipping up the flash manually.

line d.

2013-12-13T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Great Product

I am can be a busy person. I think this camera works for most lifestyles. It is light weight and I can transport it almost anywhere. This camera is better than any phone camera. As you may know, this camera as 16 megapixels. I could teach myself how to use it quickly. It is a good starter camera for anyone who enjoys taking pictures and capturing special moments. I had a competitor camera and it has short battery life,bad image quality and I absolutely hated it. But when I came to Canon I saw that I really like this product.

lil a.

2013-12-08T19:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Love this camera

I love this camera. Previously, I had two cameras by a competitor - one a metal body, the other a plastic body, and while they both took excellent pictures, quite frankly, over half of my shots were blurry or otherwise unusable. So far, I have taken about 100 snaps with this camera, and none of them have been blurred. I am amazed. And it was cheaper than the competitor's models that offered similar features. And I bought it from an online company that provided a lot of accessories including an extra batter - sweet. Loving it more, the more I use it.

Author

2013-12-07T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Great Compact point & shoot for the money

Technology marches on. I am an avid amateur photographer with 50+ years of experience with every film and focal plane technology ever created. This camera is my latest "pocket camera" to have with me 24/7, it's for those unique unplanned shots that always pop up when you least expect them and when your DSLR is just not an option to lug around with you all day. Some have criticized the change from AA sized batteries to a Canon propriety battery pack. Hogwash. Technology is going to move forward and the use of a battery pack simply does not mean this camera is any less useful. When you travel into the great whatever with an older camera you thought ahead and took extra batteries with you. Now you think ahead and make sure your battery is charged and yes if you will be away from an outlet you take as many extra battery packs as you need. I am guilty of not thinking ahead plenty of times with the AA technology with no means of stopping into a store to buy more, this camera is no different. The feel and user friendliness of this camera is outstanding. The controls are simple, the instructions (PDF on-line only) are clear and easy to follow, and the image quality is great. You are not going to shoot that perfect close-up shot of a running back diving across the goal line with this camera, but for every day snapshots it offers a nice, cost effective solution to carry in your pocket every day. It's not a DLSR. If you want a full featured high performance camera you'll need to spend a lot more money! The autofocus feature is very fast, and images shot at max optical zoom are beyond my expectations, far superior to earlier Canon point and shoot products.

A M.

2013-12-06T19:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Good inexpensive camera

A very good little camera that is a tremendous value as competitively priced. It isn't a substitute for a DSLR but it makes a great travel camera with its fairly compact size, high quality images, and wide zoom range. I like the straightforward interface that resembles my DSLR enough that I don't feel as if I have to learn a whole new system. The quality of operation, finish, and durability are all excellent. The battery is fine. The screen is plenty good enough for me. I don't need a lot of features like GPS and WiFi, so this is a great price point in a convenient package. Tip: reset the compression to "superfine" as soon as you get the camera, and leave it there.

Camstan

2013-12-04T19:00:00

Rated 1 out of 5

Worst Purcahse Ever

This camera was one of the worst cameras I have ever bought. It was a waste of money.

Black M.

2013-11-18T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Another excellent product from Canon

I must have a small but versatile camera in my purse at all times for shooting products at work and for shooting at concerts, plus gatherings with friends and family, although I do own a DSLR. This camera is perfect for all situations. I had the SX200 for years and accidentally dropped it recently,twice in the same night! Although it still works, it is sporadic and blacks out at times. Naturally I was looking to replace it with the same brand and features that I was used to and enjoyed so much. The SX170 has higher resolution and greater zoom at 16X, it is also excellent in macro mode and the video it produces is amazing even at full zoom. It is small and lightweight, it allows me to control settings with aperture or shutter preferred or manual settings, plus there are numerous in camera features to adjust the photo after it is taken. There is really too much to mention! I love it.

Linda T.

About Canon SX170 IS

FEATURED REVIEWS

Best Purchase ever

By john

I love this camera. I bought it, at a major retail store. It is very user friend. The quality of the zoom and the megapixels have to be seen to be believed for the quality pictures. I shared the camera with those at work, and we could see and take pictures of the cars across the street, the stadium and the parking lot, like we were looking at it. While is it not a DSLR camera, it is as close as you get, without the cost or the complexity. My only recommendation would be to make it a little s...

View full Review

A lot of features. After 1 years use

By Uncle

I bought this a year ago refurbished and it works perfectly. I have taken a few thousand pictures with it and am very pleased with them. Some of the pictures have made into magazines and shown on two sports tv shows. Right place at the right time maybe, impressive quality also. It is a great point and shoot. More features than I will ever need.

Canon SX170

The Canon PowerShot SX170 is a budget-priced zong-zoom compact digital camera that features a 16x optical zoom lens that starts at 28mm (35mm equivalent). It has optical image stabilization, and Canon says autofocus is fast, which means less shutter lag time. The sensor is 16MP and captures 720p HD video.

The Canon SX170 is geared towards snapshooters, offering Smart Auto technology which automatically selects the best setting combination for the scene, using 32 predefined shooting situations as a reference. The camera has a 3-inch LCD monitor and is powered by a li-ion battery.

What's in the box:

  • Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Digital Camera
  • Battery Pack NB-6LH
  • Battery Charger CB-2LY
  • Wrist Strap WS-800
  • Canon 1 Year Warranty