Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P500
88 Imaging
40 Features
41 Overall
40


67 Imaging
35 Features
44 Overall
38
Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P500 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
- Older Model is Canon SX160 IS
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P500 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS and Nikon Coolpix P500. The complete galleries are available at Canon SX170 IS Gallery and Nikon P500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Nikon P500
SX170 IS | P500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2013 | ![]() | February 2011 | Newer by 31 months |
Reasons to pick Nikon P500 over the Canon SX170 IS
P500 | SX170 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon P500
SX170 IS | P500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P500 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Nikon 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 |