Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S32
88 Imaging
40 Features
41 Overall
40


90 Imaging
36 Features
23 Overall
30
Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S32 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
- Announced August 2013
- Succeeded the Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
- 13MP - 1/3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 1600
- Digital Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 30-90mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 175g - 108 x 66 x 40mm
- Revealed February 2014

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S32 Overview
Its time to look more in depth at the Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S32, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by competitors Canon and Nikon. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and S32 (13MP) and the SX170 IS (1/2.3") and S32 (1/3") posses different sensor measurements.

The SX170 IS was brought out 5 months before the S32 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SX170 IS matches up against the S32 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S32 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS and Nikon Coolpix S32. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX170 IS Gallery and Nikon S32 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Nikon S32
SX170 IS | S32 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Nikon S32 over the Canon SX170 IS
S32 | SX170 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon S32
SX170 IS | S32 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2013 | ![]() | February 2014 | Same generation |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly display |
Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S32 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to lug around your camera, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SX170 IS has external dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Nikon S32 has proportions of 108mm x 66mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.6") having a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S32 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use during that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the SX170 IS versus the S32.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and S32 is 88 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S32 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very difficult to picture the difference in sensor measurements just by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and S32.
Clearly, both of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SX170 IS because of its larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Canon SX170 IS will show extra detail having its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S32 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S32 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Nikon Coolpix S32 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Nikon Coolpix S32 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Waterproof |
Announced | 2013-08-22 | 2014-02-07 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 4.8 x 3.6mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 17.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 13 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4160 x 3120 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 30-90mm (3.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 7.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 3.10 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off | - |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920x1080 (30p), VGA 640x480 (30p, 15p) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 251 grams (0.55 lbs) | 175 grams (0.39 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 108 x 66 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | 220 shots |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-6LH | EN-EL19 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (Approx. 10 seconds ) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD / SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail price | $0 | $180 |