Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P300
88 Imaging
40 Features
41 Overall
40


92 Imaging
35 Features
44 Overall
38
Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P300 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
- Introduced August 2013
- Superseded the Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 160 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
- 189g - 103 x 58 x 32mm
- Revealed May 2011
- Later Model is Nikon P310

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P300 Overview
In this write-up, we will be looking at the Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P300, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Nikon. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and P300 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX170 IS was manufactured 2 years after the P300 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SX170 IS matches up versus the P300 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P300 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS and Nikon Coolpix P300. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon SX170 IS Gallery and Nikon P300 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Nikon P300
SX170 IS | P300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2013 | ![]() | May 2011 | Newer by 28 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing |
Reasons to pick Nikon P300 over the Canon SX170 IS
P300 | SX170 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon P300
SX170 IS | P300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither offers Touch screen |
Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P300 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX170 IS offers physical dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Nikon P300 has specifications of 103mm x 58mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 189 grams (0.42 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P300 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the SX170 IS vs the P300.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and P300 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P300 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be hard to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading specifications. The picture underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and P300.
Plainly, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Canon SX170 IS to offer greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more recent SX170 IS will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P300 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P300 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Nikon Coolpix P300 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Nikon Coolpix P300 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2013-08-22 | 2011-05-31 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | Expeed C2 |
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 | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 160 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 24-100mm (4.2x) |
Max aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/1.8-4.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | TFT-LCD with anti-reflection coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 8 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames per sec | 7.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 6.50 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
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) | 1920 x 1080 (15, 30fps), 1280 x 720p (15, 30, 60 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | H.264, Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 251g (0.55 lbs) | 189g (0.42 lbs) |
Dimensions | 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 103 x 58 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | 240 shots |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-6LH | EN-EL12 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (10 or 2 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch pricing | $0 | $500 |