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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon AW120

Portability
88
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix AW120 front
Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
45
Overall
42

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon AW120 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
  • Launched August 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX160 IS
Nikon AW120
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 213g - 110 x 66 x 26mm
  • Introduced February 2014
  • Previous Model is Nikon AW110
  • Newer Model is Nikon AW130
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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon AW120 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Canon SX170 IS versus Nikon AW120, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by brands Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the AW120 (16MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was announced 5 months before the AW120 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a quick view of how the SX170 IS grades versus the AW120 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Nikon AW120

 SX170 IS AW120 
Manually focus More accurate focus

Reasons to pick Nikon AW120 over the Canon SX170 IS

 AW120 SX170 IS 
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon AW120

 SX170 IS AW120 
IntroducedAugust 2013February 2014Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon AW120 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX170 IS has got physical measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Nikon AW120 has proportions of 110mm x 66mm x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") having a weight of 213 grams (0.47 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX170 IS versus Nikon AW120 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the SX170 IS against the AW120.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon AW120 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and AW120 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon AW120 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon AW120 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions simply by going through specifications. The picture below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX170 IS and AW120.

To sum up, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of pictures but you need to factor the launch date of the cameras into account.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon AW120 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon AW120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon AW120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX170 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon AW120
43
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
35
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX170 IS
Street photography with Nikon AW120
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (251g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
62
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography features
Nikon AW120 Sports photography features
48
incredible zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
51
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
great battery life (350 CIPA)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX170 IS
Travel photography with Nikon AW120
68
lighter than average in class (251g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
great zoom (448mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
69
great battery life (350 CIPA)
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX170 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon AW120
49
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
48
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
great battery life (350 shots)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging info
Nikon AW120 Vlogging info
31
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (251 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
33
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have mic support
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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon AW120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Nikon AW120
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISNikon Coolpix AW120
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Nikon Coolpix AW120
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2013-08-22 2014-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8-4.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 5.20 m
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 251g (0.55 lbs) 213g (0.47 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 110 x 66 x 26mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs 350 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) -
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD / SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $0 $350