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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon A900

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix A900 front
Portability
88
Imaging
46
Features
58
Overall
50

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon A900 Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
  • Introduced August 2013
  • Previous Model is Canon SX160 IS
Nikon A900
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-840mm (F3.4-6.9) lens
  • 289g - 113 x 67 x 40mm
  • Announced February 2016
  • Newer Model is Nikon A1000
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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon A900 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon A900, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the A900 (20MP) is very similar and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was released 3 years earlier than the A900 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the SX170 IS grades vs the A900 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Nikon A900

 SX170 IS A900 
Focus manually More accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Nikon A900 over the Canon SX170 IS

 A900 SX170 IS 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016August 2013Newer by 30 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon A900

 SX170 IS A900 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon A900 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX170 IS enjoys outside dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Nikon A900 has dimensions of 113mm x 67mm x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 289 grams (0.64 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon A900 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the SX170 IS compared to the A900.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon A900 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and A900 is 88 and 88 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon A900 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon A900 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reading specifications. The pic below will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX170 IS and A900.

Plainly, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Nikon A900 to offer more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged SX170 IS is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon A900 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography features
Nikon A900 Portrait photography features
44
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
40
megapixel count decent (20MP)
offers face detection autofocus
no manual focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon A900 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (251g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
69
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (289g)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography features
Nikon A900 Sports photography features
48
excellent zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
supports tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
56
long zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography factors
Nikon A900 Travel photography factors
68
lighter than competition in class (251g)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
great reach (448mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
74
lighter than competitors in class (289g)
connects via bluetooth
megapixel count decent (20MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (840mm)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography advice
Nikon A900 Landscape photography advice
49
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
49
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging highlights
Nikon A900 Vlogging highlights
31
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (251 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
34
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (289g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone socket
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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Nikon A900
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISNikon Coolpix A900
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Nikon Coolpix A900
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-08-22 2016-02-23
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-840mm (35.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.4-6.9
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 6.00 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 251 grams (0.55 pounds) 289 grams (0.64 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 113 x 67 x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6")
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 300 images 300 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $0 $400