Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L21
88 Imaging
39 Features
41 Overall
39
93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23
Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L21 Key Specs
(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
- Released August 2013
- Earlier Model is Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
- 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
- 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
- Released February 2010
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Below is a extensive review of the Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L21, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Nikon. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and L21 (8MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").
Photography GlossaryThe SX170 IS was revealed 3 years later than the L21 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SX170 IS scores versus the L21 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS and Nikon Coolpix L21. The full galleries are viewable at Canon SX170 IS Gallery and Nikon L21 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Nikon L21
| SX170 IS | L21 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | August 2013 | February 2010 | More recent by 44 months | |
| Focus manually | More accurate focus | |||
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon SX170 IS
| L21 | SX170 IS |
|---|
Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon L21
| SX170 IS | L21 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen resolution | 230k | 230k | Exact same screen resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Neither comes with selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Absent Touch screen |
Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon SX170 IS comes with external dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Nikon L21 has proportions of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).
Examine the Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L21 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the SX170 IS versus the L21.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and L21 is 88 and 93 respectively.
Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's hard to visualize the gap between sensor measurements simply by reading technical specs. The photograph here will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and L21.
As you have seen, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Canon SX170 IS to offer greater detail because of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more modern SX170 IS should have an advantage in sensor tech.
Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L21 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Nikon Coolpix L21 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Canon | Nikon |
| Model type | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Nikon Coolpix L21 |
| Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
| Released | 2013-08-22 | 2010-02-03 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Digic 4 | Expeed C2 |
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 8 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3648 x 2736 |
| Highest native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 64 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection AF | ||
| Contract detection AF | ||
| Phase detection AF | ||
| Cross type focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 38-136mm (3.6x) |
| Largest aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.1-6.7 |
| Macro focusing range | 1cm | 5cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3 inch | 2.5 inch |
| Screen resolution | 230k dot | 230k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 8 secs |
| Max shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/2000 secs |
| Continuous shutter speed | 1.0fps | - |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 3.00 m | - |
| Flash options | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
| Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 251 grams (0.55 lbs) | 169 grams (0.37 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") |
| 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 | 300 shots | - |
| Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery ID | NB-6LH | 2 x AA |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Price at release | $0 | $180 |