Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S640
88 Imaging
40 Features
41 Overall
40


96 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30
Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S640 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
- Introduced August 2013
- Superseded the Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
- 130g - 91 x 55 x 21mm
- Launched August 2009

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S640 Overview
Lets take a deeper look at the Canon SX170 IS versus Nikon S640, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Nikon. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and S640 (12MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SX170 IS was revealed 4 years after the S640 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SX170 IS matches up against the S640 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S640 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS and Nikon Coolpix S640. The full galleries are available at Canon SX170 IS Gallery and Nikon S640 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Nikon S640
SX170 IS | S640 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2013 | ![]() | August 2009 | More modern by 50 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Nikon S640 over the Canon SX170 IS
S640 | SX170 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon S640
SX170 IS | S640 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S640 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SX170 IS features physical dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Nikon S640 has sizing of 91mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 130 grams (0.29 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon SX170 IS versus Nikon S640 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the SX170 IS against the S640.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and S640 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S640 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes just by checking out a spec sheet. The image here will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and S640.
As you can see, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should expect the Canon SX170 IS to provide greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The fresher SX170 IS provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S640 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S640 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Nikon Coolpix S640 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Nikon Coolpix S640 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2013-08-22 | 2009-08-04 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 4 | Expeed |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/2.7-6.6 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 2cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 2.7" |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | - |
Flash modes | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off | - |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone 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 | 251 grams (0.55 pounds) | 130 grams (0.29 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 91 x 55 x 21mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") |
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 images | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-6LH | EN-EL12 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $0 | $225 |