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Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6400

Portability
95
Imaging
46
Features
29
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S6400 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6400 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
  • Launched January 2015
  • Also referred to as IXUS 170
Nikon S6400
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 58 x 27mm
  • Announced August 2012
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Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6400 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6400, both Ultracompact digital cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the 170 IS (20MP) and S6400 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The 170 IS was announced 2 years later than the S6400 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the 170 IS scores versus the S6400 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Nikon S6400

 170 IS S6400 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015August 2012More recent by 29 months

Reasons to pick Nikon S6400 over the Canon 170 IS

 S6400 170 IS 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon 170 IS and Nikon S6400

 170 IS S6400 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6400 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon 170 IS enjoys outside dimensions of 100mm x 58mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Nikon S6400 has proportions of 95mm x 58mm x 27mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs).

Check out the Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6400 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the 170 IS and the S6400.

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6400 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 170 IS and S6400 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6400 top view buttons comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6400 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reading specs. The visual below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the 170 IS and S6400.

All in all, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can anticipate the Canon 170 IS to offer you extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more modern 170 IS provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6400 sensor size comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6400 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6400 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 170 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon S6400 as a Portrait photography camera
39
decent MP (20 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
35
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon 170 IS Street photography factors
Nikon S6400 Street photography factors
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than competition (150 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon 170 IS Sports photography information
Nikon S6400 Sports photography information
44
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps low (0.8 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery (160 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon 170 IS
Travel photography with Nikon S6400
70
decent MP (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.6)
63
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low battery (160 shots)
more heavy than competition (150 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 170 IS Landscape photography highlights
Nikon S6400 Landscape photography highlights
41
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.6)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
low battery (160 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 170 IS Vlogging details
Nikon S6400 Vlogging details
32
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.6)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone jack
33
reasonably wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone port
more heavy than competition (150g)
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Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6400 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 170 IS and Nikon S6400
 Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 ISNikon Coolpix S6400
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS Nikon Coolpix S6400
Also Known as IXUS 170 -
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2015-01-06 2012-08-22
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4+ Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 20MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5152 x 3864 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.6-7.0 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 0.8 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 141 gr (0.31 lb) 150 gr (0.33 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 58 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") 95 x 58 x 27mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 images 160 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-11L/LH EN-EL19
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (10 or 2 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $149 $500