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Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6900

Portability
95 Imaging
45 Features
29 Overall
38
Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S6900 front
Portability
93 Imaging
40 Features
43 Overall
41

Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6900 Key Specs

Canon 170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.6-7.0) lens
  • 141g - 100 x 58 x 23mm
  • Introduced January 2015
  • Alternative Name is IXUS 170
Nikon S6900
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-6.3) lens
  • 181g - 99 x 58 x 28mm
  • Launched February 2015
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Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6900 Overview

The following is a extended analysis of the Canon 170 IS versus Nikon S6900, both Ultracompact digital cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the 170 IS (20MP) and S6900 (16MP) but they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The 170 IS was revealed within a month of the S6900 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a brief summation of how the 170 IS grades against the S6900 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Nikon S6900

		

		

			
 170 IS S6900 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Nikon S6900 over the Canon 170 IS

		

		

			
 S6900 170 IS 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen  Easy selfies
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Canon 170 IS and Nikon S6900

		

		

			
 170 IS S6900 
LaunchedJanuary 2015February 2015Similar generation
Manually focus  Lack of manual focus
Touch screen  Lack of Touch screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6900 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon 170 IS offers exterior dimensions of 100mm x 58mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Nikon S6900 has measurements of 99mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 181 grams (0.40 lbs).
Analyze the Canon 170 IS versus Nikon S6900 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at the time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the 170 IS vs the S6900.
Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6900 size comparison
Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the 170 IS and S6900 is 95 and 93 respectively.
Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6900 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6900 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Often, its hard to see the gap between sensor dimensions just by reviewing technical specs. The picture below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the 170 IS and S6900.
As you can tell, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Canon 170 IS to offer you extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively.
	
			Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6900 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6900 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Canon 170 IS Portrait photography details
Nikon S6900 Portrait photography details
38
 MP count good (20MP)
 provides face detection focusing
 lack of manual focus
 lack of manual mode
 can't use external flash
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
35
 resolution is good (16 megapixels)
 includes face detection focus
 lack of manual focus
 lack of manual mode
 cannot use external flash
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison
Canon 170 IS Street photography highlights
Nikon S6900 Street photography highlights
59
 image stabilization (Optical)
 screen is fixed
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
62
 screen can move to multiple angles
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW files
 heavier than competitors (181 grams)
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Sports Comparison
Canon 170 IS Sports photography advice
Nikon S6900 Sports photography advice
43
 image stabilization (Optical)
 MP count good (20MP)
 provides tracking autofocus
 slow continuous shooting (0.8 frames/s)
 lack of shutter priority mode
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 does not have phase detect AF
41
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 resolution is good (16MP)
 includes tracking autofocus
 no shutter priority mode
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 low battery power (180 shots)
 doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison
 Canon 170 IS as a Travel photography camera
 Nikon S6900 as a Travel photography camera
69
 MP count good (20MP)
 flash built-in
 relatively wide (25mm)
 long reach (300mm)
 lack of Timelapse mode
 display is not selfie friendly
 slow maximum aperture (f3.6)
67
 resolution is good (16MP)
 has built in flash
 display is selfie friendly
 quite wide (25mm)
 very long zoom (300mm)
 doesn't have Time Lapse recording
 low battery power (180 shots)
 heavier than competitors (181 grams)
 somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison
 Canon 170 IS as a Landscape photography camera
 Nikon S6900 as a Landscape photography camera
41
 relatively wide (25mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 MP count good (20 megapixels)
 lack of manual focus
 fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
 slow maximum aperture (f3.6)
 screen is somewhat small (2.7")
 lack of manual mode
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
 lack of Timelapse mode
41
 quite wide (25mm)
 good sized screen (3 inch)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 resolution is good (16MP)
 lack of manual focus
 fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
 somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
 lack of manual mode
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW files
 low battery power (180 CIPA)
 doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary
Vlogging Comparison
Canon 170 IS Vlogging information
Nikon S6900 Vlogging information
32
 relatively wide (25mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 provides face detection focusing
 slow maximum aperture (f3.6)
 display is not selfie friendly
 video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
 lack of external microphone jack
70
 quite wide (25mm)
 display is selfie friendly
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 includes face detection focus
 high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
 doesn't have external mic support
 heavier than competitors (181g)
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Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S6900 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 170 IS and Nikon S6900
 Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 ISNikon Coolpix S6900
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS Nikon Coolpix S6900
Also called IXUS 170 -
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2015-01-06 2015-02-10
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4+ -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 4:3 and  16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 5152 x 3864 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW files    
Autofocusing
Manual focus    
Touch focus    
Continuous AF    
AF single    
Tracking AF    
Selective AF    
Center weighted AF    
AF multi area    
AF live view    
Face detect focusing    
Contract detect focusing    
Phase detect focusing    
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/3.3-6.3
Macro focus range 1cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch operation    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 0.8 frames per sec 9.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual mode    
Set WB    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash range 4.00 m 2.80 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro -
Hot shoe    
AEB    
White balance 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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support    
Headphone support    
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 141 grams (0.31 pounds) 181 grams (0.40 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 58 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") 99 x 58 x 28mm (3.9" 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 180 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-11L/LH EN-EL19
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting    
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $149 $190