Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P90
88 Imaging
40 Features
41 Overall
40


70 Imaging
34 Features
37 Overall
35
Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P90 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
- Succeeded the Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 64 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
- 400g - 114 x 99 x 83mm
- Announced February 2009
- Earlier Model is Nikon P80

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P90 Overview
Below is a complete assessment of the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon P90, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and P90 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX170 IS was released 4 years later than the P90 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Nikon P90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the SX170 IS scores vs the P90 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P90 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS and Nikon Coolpix P90. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon SX170 IS Gallery and Nikon P90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Nikon P90
SX170 IS | P90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2013 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 56 months |
Reasons to pick Nikon P90 over the Canon SX170 IS
P90 | SX170 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon P90
SX170 IS | P90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurements |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Missing Touch display |
Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P90 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX170 IS enjoys outside dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Nikon P90 has proportions of 114mm x 99mm x 83mm (4.5" x 3.9" x 3.3") having a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).
Look at the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon P90 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the SX170 IS against the P90.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and P90 is 88 and 70 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P90 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its difficult to picture the gap between sensor measurements just by reviewing specifications. The graphic here will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and P90.
To sum up, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should expect to see the Canon SX170 IS to offer more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics more aggressively. The more modern SX170 IS should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P90 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon P90 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Nikon Coolpix P90 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Nikon Coolpix P90 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2013-08-22 | 2009-02-03 |
Physical type | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 64 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 26-624mm (24.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/2.8-5.0 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/3200s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames per sec | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | - |
Flash options | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow, Off |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance 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 file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 251g (0.55 lbs) | 400g (0.88 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 114 x 99 x 83mm (4.5" x 3.9" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 images | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6LH | EN-EL5 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at launch | $0 | $700 |