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Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S220

Portability
95
Imaging
46
Features
29
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S220 front
Portability
97
Imaging
33
Features
11
Overall
24

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S220 Key Specs

Canon 170 IS
(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
Nikon S220
(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
Photography Glossary

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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Nikon S220

 170 IS S220 
ReleasedJanuary 2015February 2009Fresher by 73 months
Display size2.7"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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S220 size comparison

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

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S220 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S220 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S220 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 170 IS Portrait photography details
Nikon S220 Portrait photography details
39
good MP (20MP)
provides face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
19
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
megapixel count low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon 170 IS Street photography information
Nikon S220 Street photography information
59
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
48
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon 170 IS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon S220 as a Sports photography camera
44
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (0.8 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
16
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon 170 IS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon S220 as a Travel photography camera
70
good MP (20MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
missing Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.6)
52
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 170 IS Landscape photography info
Nikon S220 Landscape photography info
41
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.6)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
22
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.5")
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 170 IS Vlogging information
Nikon S220 Vlogging information
32
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
sluggish max aperture (f3.6)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
22
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of mic support
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Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S220 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 170 IS and Nikon S220
 Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 ISNikon 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