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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6100

Portability
88
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S6100 front
Portability
93
Imaging
38
Features
39
Overall
38

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6100 Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(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
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX160 IS
Nikon S6100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-196mm (F3.7-5.6) lens
  • 175g - 98 x 58 x 27mm
  • Introduced February 2011
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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6100 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6100, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the S6100 (16MP) is pretty similar and they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was released 2 years after the S6100 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the SX170 IS matches up vs the S6100 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Nikon S6100

 SX170 IS S6100 
IntroducedAugust 2013February 2011More modern by 31 months

Reasons to pick Nikon S6100 over the Canon SX170 IS

 S6100 SX170 IS 
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon S6100

 SX170 IS S6100 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6100 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX170 IS features outer 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 S6100 has measurements of 98mm x 58mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6100 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the SX170 IS compared to the S6100.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6100 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and S6100 is 88 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6100 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6100 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizes only by reviewing technical specs. The pic below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX170 IS and S6100.

As you have seen, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact megapixels so you can expect similar quality of files though you have to factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The younger SX170 IS should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6100 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon S6100 Portrait photography highlights
43
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
offers face detect focus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
39
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
provides face detection focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography details
Nikon S6100 Street photography details
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (251 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch focus
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography info
Nikon S6100 Sports photography info
48
excellent zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
37
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (210 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography advice
Nikon S6100 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than competitors in class (251 grams)
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
very long reach (448mm)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
64
provides touch focus
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (210 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography advice
Nikon S6100 Landscape photography advice
49
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
45
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery power (210 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging details
Nikon S6100 Vlogging details
31
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
lighter than competitors in class (251 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic port
32
relatively wide (28mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.7)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone jack
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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Nikon S6100
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISNikon Coolpix S6100
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Nikon Coolpix S6100
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-08-22 2011-02-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 28-196mm (7.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.7-5.6
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT touchscreen LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 4.50 m
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
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) 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 251 gr (0.55 lb) 175 gr (0.39 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 98 x 58 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 210 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $0 $195