Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P520
88 Imaging
40 Features
41 Overall
40


66 Imaging
42 Features
51 Overall
45
Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P520 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
- Revealed August 2013
- Old Model is Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1000mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
- 550g - 125 x 84 x 102mm
- Introduced January 2013
- Replaced the Nikon P510
- Renewed by Nikon P530

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P520 Overview
Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P520, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the P520 (18MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SX170 IS was revealed 7 months after the P520 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Nikon P520 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SX170 IS matches up vs the P520 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P520 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS and Nikon Coolpix P520. The full galleries are provided at Canon SX170 IS Gallery and Nikon P520 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Nikon P520
SX170 IS | P520 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2013 | ![]() | January 2013 | Newer by 7 months |
Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Canon SX170 IS
P520 | SX170 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+691k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon P520
SX170 IS | P520 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither contains Touch screen |
Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P520 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to travel with your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SX170 IS has got outside measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Nikon P520 has measurements of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") having a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs).
Check the Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P520 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SX170 IS versus the P520.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and P520 is 88 and 66 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P520 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, its tough to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by seeing technical specs. The pic here might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX170 IS and P520.
As you have seen, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Nikon P520 to produce more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more modern SX170 IS is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P520 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P520 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Nikon Coolpix P520 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Nikon Coolpix P520 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2013-08-22 | 2013-01-29 |
Body design | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.16 x 4.62mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 18MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4896 x 3672 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 24-1000mm (41.7x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.0-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3.2 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 seconds | 8 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off | - |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Optional |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | none |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 251g (0.55 lbs) | 550g (1.21 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 pictures | 200 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-6LH | EN-EL5 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | - |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $0 | $380 |