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Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S3100

Portability
95
Imaging
45
Features
29
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S3100 front
Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
23
Overall
30

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S3100 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 S3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 118g - 94 x 58 x 18mm
  • Launched February 2011
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Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S3100 Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Canon 170 IS and Nikon S3100, both Ultracompact cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the 170 IS (20MP) and S3100 (14MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The 170 IS was manufactured 3 years after the S3100 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the 170 IS matches up versus the S3100 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Nikon S3100

 170 IS S3100 
LaunchedJanuary 2015February 2011Newer by 48 months

Reasons to pick Nikon S3100 over the Canon 170 IS

 S3100 170 IS 

Common features in the Canon 170 IS and Nikon S3100

 170 IS S3100 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S3100 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon 170 IS comes with 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 S3100 has measurements of 94mm x 58mm x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") along with a weight of 118 grams (0.26 lbs).

Contrast the Canon 170 IS and Nikon S3100 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the 170 IS against the S3100.

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S3100 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 170 IS and S3100 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S3100 top view buttons comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S3100 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to picture the gap in sensor dimensions only by viewing specs. The image here should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the 170 IS and S3100.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can expect the Canon 170 IS to provide you with greater detail due to its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The fresher 170 IS provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S3100 sensor size comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S3100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S3100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 170 IS Portrait photography details
Nikon S3100 Portrait photography details
38
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
33
decent megapixels (14MP)
has face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon 170 IS
Street photography with Nikon S3100
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
48
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon 170 IS Sports photography advice
Nikon S3100 Sports photography advice
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
supports tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (0.8 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
32
decent megapixels (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon 170 IS Travel photography information
Nikon S3100 Travel photography information
69
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.6)
65
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 170 IS Landscape photography info
Nikon S3100 Landscape photography info
41
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.6)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
33
pretty wide (26mm)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 170 IS Vlogging features
Nikon S3100 Vlogging features
32
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.6)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone socket
28
pretty wide (26mm)
has face detection focusing
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone jack
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Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S3100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 170 IS and Nikon S3100
 Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 ISNikon Coolpix S3100
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS Nikon Coolpix S3100
Otherwise known as IXUS 170 -
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Released 2015-01-06 2011-02-09
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4+ Expeed C2
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 5152 x 3864 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.6-7.0 f/3.2-6.5
Macro focusing range 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 0.8fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 4.50 m
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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 lbs) 118 grams (0.26 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 58 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") 94 x 58 x 18mm (3.7" x 2.3" 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 photos 220 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-11L/LH EN-EL19
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
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $149 $139