Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S220
95 Imaging
45 Features
29 Overall
38


97 Imaging
33 Features
11 Overall
24
Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S220 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)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 2000
- 640 x 480 video
- 35-105mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 100g - 90 x 56 x 18mm
- Released February 2009

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S220 Overview
Here, we are matching up the Canon 170 IS and Nikon S220, both Ultracompact cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the 170 IS (20MP) and S220 (10MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The 170 IS was manufactured 6 years later than the S220 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).
Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the 170 IS matches up against the S220 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S220 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS and Nikon Coolpix S220. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon 170 IS Gallery and Nikon S220 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Nikon S220
170 IS | S220 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2015 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 73 months |
Display size | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Nikon S220 over the Canon 170 IS
S220 | 170 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon 170 IS and Nikon S220
170 IS | S220 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lacking Touch display |
Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S220 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry your camera, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon 170 IS provides outer dimensions of 100mm x 58mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Nikon S220 has proportions of 90mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.5" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 100 grams (0.22 lbs).
Check out the Canon 170 IS and Nikon S220 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the 170 IS compared to the S220.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 170 IS and S220 is 95 and 97 respectively.

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S220 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing only by going through technical specs. The graphic underneath should offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the 170 IS and S220.
As you have seen, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You should expect to see the Canon 170 IS to provide greater detail due to its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos way more aggressively. The younger 170 IS should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S220 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S220 Specifications
Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS | Nikon Coolpix S220 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS | Nikon Coolpix S220 |
Alternative name | IXUS 170 | - |
Class | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Released | 2015-01-06 | 2009-02-03 |
Physical type | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | DIGIC 4+ | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 5152 x 3864 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 2000 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-300mm (12.0x) | 35-105mm (3.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.6-7.0 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.7" | 2.5" |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 8 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 0.8 frames per sec | 11.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.00 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On, Slow sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 141 grams (0.31 lb) | 100 grams (0.22 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 100 x 58 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") | 90 x 56 x 18mm (3.5" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 photographs | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-11L/LH | EN-EL10 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) | Yes (3 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $149 | $56 |