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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6500

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S6500 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
51
Overall
43

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6500 Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(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
Nikon S6500
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Nikon S6500

 SX170 IS S6500 
LaunchedAugust 2013January 2013More modern by 8 months

Reasons to pick Nikon S6500 over the Canon SX170 IS

 S6500 SX170 IS 
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon S6500

 SX170 IS S6500 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6500 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX170 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon S6500
44
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
43
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Street photography camera
Nikon S6500 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (251g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (250 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX170 IS
Sports photography with Nikon S6500
48
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
49
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography information
Nikon S6500 Travel photography information
68
lighter than competitors in class (251 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
very long reach (448mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than competitors in class (250g)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography features
Nikon S6500 Landscape photography features
49
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
49
focusing manually
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S6500 as a Vlogging camera
31
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
lighter than competitors in class (251 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
34
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (250g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic socket
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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon S6500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Nikon S6500
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISNikon 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