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Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S230

Portability
95
Imaging
46
Features
29
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S230 front
Portability
96
Imaging
33
Features
21
Overall
28

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S230 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
  • Revealed January 2015
  • Also Known as IXUS 170
Nikon S230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 2000
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-105mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 115g - 91 x 57 x 20mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S230 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S230, both Ultracompact digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the 170 IS (20MP) and S230 (10MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The 170 IS was released 6 years later than the S230 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple view of how the 170 IS scores vs the S230 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Nikon S230

 170 IS S230 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015February 2009Fresher by 73 months

Reasons to pick Nikon S230 over the Canon 170 IS

 S230 170 IS 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon 170 IS and Nikon S230

 170 IS S230 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S230 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Canon 170 IS provides outside measurements of 100mm x 58mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Nikon S230 has sizing of 91mm x 57mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 115 grams (0.25 lbs).

Examine the Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S230 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the 170 IS and the S230.

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S230 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 170 IS and S230 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S230 top view buttons comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S230 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by reviewing specifications. The photograph underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the 170 IS and S230.

Plainly, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Canon 170 IS to offer more detail as a result of its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The newer 170 IS is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S230 sensor size comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S230 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 170 IS Portrait photography info
Nikon S230 Portrait photography info
39
MP count good (20MP)
supports face detection focus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
19
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon 170 IS
Street photography with Nikon S230
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
57
image stabilization (Digital)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon 170 IS Sports photography info
Nikon S230 Sports photography info
44
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
supports tracking autofocus
low frames per second (0.8 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
26
image stabilization (Digital)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon 170 IS
Travel photography with Nikon S230
70
MP count good (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.6)
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon 170 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon S230
41
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.6)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
31
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Digital)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon 170 IS
Vlogging with Nikon S230
32
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
sluggish max aperture (f3.6)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic port
28
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
no external mic jack
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Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 170 IS and Nikon S230
 Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 ISNikon Coolpix S230
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS Nikon Coolpix S230
Also called IXUS 170 -
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Revealed 2015-01-06 2009-02-03
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4+ -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 5152 x 3864 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 2000
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 35-105mm (3.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.6-7.0 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 0.8fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set 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
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 gr (0.31 pounds) 115 gr (0.25 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 58 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") 91 x 57 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 -
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
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $149 $150