Clicky

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L21

Portability
88
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L21 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
  • Released August 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX160 IS
Nikon L21
(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
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L21 Overview

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 Glossary

The 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.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Nikon L21

 SX170 IS L21 
ReleasedAugust 2013February 2010More recent by 44 months
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L21 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX170 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon L21
43
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has face detection autofocus
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
18
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon L21 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (251 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
46
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography information
Nikon L21 Sports photography information
48
incredible zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
15
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low megapixels (8MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX170 IS
Travel photography with Nikon L21
68
lighter than others in class (251g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
very long reach (448mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
50
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
low megapixels (8MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography advice
Nikon L21 Landscape photography advice
49
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
21
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Timelapse mode
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging highlights
Nikon L21 Vlogging highlights
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than others in class (251 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic support
21
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
no microphone jack
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L21 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Nikon L21
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISNikon 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