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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P500

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix P500 front
Portability
67
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P500 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
  • Older Model is Canon SX160 IS
Nikon P500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-810mm (F3.4-5.7) lens
  • 494g - 116 x 84 x 103mm
  • Announced February 2011
  • Newer Model is Nikon P510
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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P500 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P500, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and P500 (12MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX170 IS was released 2 years after the P500 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Nikon P500 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the SX170 IS grades vs the P500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Nikon P500

 SX170 IS P500 
AnnouncedAugust 2013February 2011Newer by 31 months

Reasons to pick Nikon P500 over the Canon SX170 IS

 P500 SX170 IS 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon P500

 SX170 IS P500 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX170 IS offers exterior dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Nikon P500 has specifications of 116mm x 84mm x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1") and a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX170 IS versus the P500.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P500 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and P500 is 88 and 67 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P500 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P500 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to see the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by viewing a spec sheet. The image here may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and P500.

As you can see, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Canon SX170 IS to provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The newer SX170 IS will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P500 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX170 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon P500
44
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features face detect focus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
34
you can focus manually
provides face detection focus
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography details
Nikon P500 Street photography details
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (251 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
50
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than others (494 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography details
Nikon P500 Sports photography details
48
incredible zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 fps)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
36
excellent zoom range (23-810mm 35.2 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (220 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography highlights
Nikon P500 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than competition in class (251 grams)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
very long zoom (448mm)
no Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
47
built-in flash
reasonably wide (23mm)
long reach (810mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery power (220 per charge)
heavier than others (494 grams)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX170 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon P500
49
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
38
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (23mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery power (220 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging information
Nikon P500 Vlogging information
31
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (251g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic port
26
reasonably wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than others (494g)
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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Nikon P500
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISNikon Coolpix P500
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Nikon Coolpix P500
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-08-22 2011-02-09
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 160
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 23-810mm (35.2x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.4-5.7
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 8.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync
External flash
AE 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 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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 lb) 494g (1.09 lb)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 116 x 84 x 103mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 4.1")
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 photographs 220 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH EN-EL5
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 One One
Launch pricing $0 $399