Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S1200pj
95 Imaging
45 Features
29 Overall
38


93 Imaging
37 Features
26 Overall
32
Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S1200pj Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.6-7.0) lens
- 141g - 100 x 58 x 23mm
- Released January 2015
- Other Name is IXUS 170
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.9-5.8) lens
- 186g - 107 x 64 x 23mm
- Introduced August 2011

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S1200pj Overview
Its time to look a little more in depth at the Canon 170 IS and Nikon S1200pj, both Ultracompact cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the 170 IS (20MP) and S1200pj (14MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

The 170 IS was unveiled 3 years later than the S1200pj and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).
Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the 170 IS grades versus the S1200pj in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S1200pj Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS & Nikon Coolpix S1200pj. The full galleries are available at Canon 170 IS Gallery & Nikon S1200pj Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Nikon S1200pj
170 IS | S1200pj | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2015 | ![]() | August 2011 | More recent by 42 months |
Reasons to pick Nikon S1200pj over the Canon 170 IS
S1200pj | 170 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Canon 170 IS and Nikon S1200pj
170 IS | S1200pj | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen |
Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S1200pj Physical Comparison
If you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon 170 IS has got physical measurements of 100mm x 58mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Nikon S1200pj has measurements of 107mm x 64mm x 23mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 0.9") having a weight of 186 grams (0.41 lbs).
Contrast the Canon 170 IS and Nikon S1200pj in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the 170 IS and the S1200pj.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the 170 IS and S1200pj is 95 and 93 respectively.

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S1200pj Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very tough to visualize the gap in sensor measurements purely by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the 170 IS and S1200pj.
As you can see, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can expect to see the Canon 170 IS to provide greater detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images more aggressively. The more recent 170 IS provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S1200pj Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S1200pj Specifications
Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS | Nikon Coolpix S1200pj | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS | Nikon Coolpix S1200pj |
Otherwise known as | IXUS 170 | - |
Category | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Released | 2015-01-06 | 2011-08-24 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | DIGIC 4+ | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 5152 x 3864 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Highest boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-300mm (12.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.6-7.0 | f/3.9-5.8 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1500 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 0.8fps | 0.8fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.00 m | 3.50 m |
Flash modes | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | - |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30,15 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | H.264 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 141 grams (0.31 lb) | 186 grams (0.41 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 100 x 58 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") | 107 x 64 x 23mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 200 shots | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-11L/LH | EN-EL12 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) | Yes (10 or 2 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $149 | $499 |