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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S640

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S640 front
Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S640 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
  • Introduced August 2013
  • Superseded the Canon SX160 IS
Nikon S640
(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
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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").

Photography Glossary

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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Nikon S640

 SX170 IS S640 
LaunchedAugust 2013August 2009More modern by 50 months
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen size3"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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S640 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S640 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S640 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon S640 as a Portrait photography camera
44
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
features face detect focus
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
20
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography information
Nikon S640 Street photography information
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (251 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (130g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX170 IS
Sports photography with Nikon S640
48
great zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
features tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
33
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX170 IS
Travel photography with Nikon S640
68
lighter than competition (251g)
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
very long reach (448mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
62
lighter than average (130g)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography features
Nikon S640 Landscape photography features
49
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
32
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging info
Nikon S640 Vlogging info
31
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
lighter than competition (251 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
31
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (130g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone support
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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S640 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Nikon S640
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISNikon 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