Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6500
88 Imaging
40 Features
41 Overall
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92 Imaging
39 Features
51 Overall
43
Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6500 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
- Revealed August 2013
- Replaced the Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-300mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 250g - 95 x 58 x 26mm
- Launched January 2013

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6500 Overview
Its time to look more closely at the Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6500, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the S6500 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SX170 IS was launched 8 months after the S6500 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SX170 IS scores versus the S6500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6500 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS & Nikon Coolpix S6500. The complete galleries are available at Canon SX170 IS Gallery & Nikon S6500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Nikon S6500
SX170 IS | S6500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2013 | ![]() | January 2013 | More modern by 8 months |
Reasons to pick Nikon S6500 over the Canon SX170 IS
S6500 | SX170 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon S6500
SX170 IS | S6500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6500 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to carry around your camera, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SX170 IS provides outside measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Nikon S6500 has sizing of 95mm x 58mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at the time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the SX170 IS and the S6500.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and S6500 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6500 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is very hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reading through a spec sheet. The image underneath might provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX170 IS and S6500.
As you can see, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of photos though you have to consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The more modern SX170 IS should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6500 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6500 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Nikon Coolpix S6500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Nikon Coolpix S6500 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2013-08-22 | 2013-01-08 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/2.8-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | AMOLED display |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 8 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 3.50 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 251 gr (0.55 pounds) | 250 gr (0.55 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 95 x 58 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 shots | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6LH | SLB-10A |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch pricing | $0 | $170 |