Canon PowerShot SX170 IS vs Nikon Coolpix S9700: The Ultimate Compact Superzoom Showdown

Choosing the right compact superzoom camera can be quite the challenge, especially with models like the Canon PowerShot SX170 IS and Nikon Coolpix S9700 entering similar territory but catering to subtly different user needs. Both boast extensive zoom ranges, convenient form factors, and enough manual controls to satisfy ambitious enthusiasts who want something pocket-friendly without sacrificing creativity.

Having spent many hours testing and comparing cameras in this category, I’ll break down how these two contenders stack up - not just on paper but in real-world scenarios across the full photography spectrum. If you’re hunting a trusty travel companion, a wildlife tool, or a casual shooter’s dream with a versatile zoom, this deep dive will equip you with practical knowledge to make a confident decision.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Build

When picking up the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon S9700 side-by-side, the physical differences immediately become clear. The Canon feels slightly chunkier and deeper, measuring 108x71x44mm versus Nikon's sleeker 110x64x35mm, making the Nikon a bit easier to slip into tighter pockets or small bags. Weighing in at 251g compared to Nikon’s lighter 232g, the SX170 conveys a bit more heft, which can translate to a steadier grip in hand - something I appreciate when shooting telephoto or in windy conditions.

The Canon’s thicker body accommodates a more pronounced grip, which benefits precise manual control. Nikon’s narrower depth trims bulk but reduces the grip profile, potentially challenging for users with bigger hands during extended handheld sessions.

Looking at control layout (see image below), both cameras feature well-organized button arrays optimized for their compact designs. However, the Canon’s top screen and control knobs lend a more DSLR-like feel - ideal for users who relish direct exposure adjustments without diving into menus. Nikon dispenses with the top display, focusing on a clean, minimalist approach that modern users might prefer, especially when shooting casually or using auto modes.

I found the Canon’s buttons slightly firmer and more tactile, giving tactile confidence when adjusting settings outdoors. The Nikon’s flatter buttons suit quick point-and-shoots but feel less satisfying for prolonged manual operation.

Build and Durability

Neither camera offers environmental sealing or ruggedized protection, which is typical for this category - a fact to consider if you often shoot in challenging weather or dusty environments. Both are solidly constructed - but expect to handle them with care. Between the two, the Canon feels a bit more robust, likely due to its larger footprint, while the Nikon’s lightweight shell may seem less resilient under rough use.

Under the Hood: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

For me, evaluating small-sensor superzooms comes down to the image pipeline, sensor design, and lens versatility, all conjoining to shape final photo quality. Both cameras employ the common 1/2.3" sensor size, measuring roughly 6.17 x 4.55 mm with a 28.07 mm² sensor area, but that's where their inherent differences start:

• Canon SX170 IS uses a CCD sensor with 16 megapixels, delivering images at a maximum resolution of 4608x3456 pixels. Its native ISO range is 100–1600.
• Nikon Coolpix S9700 upgrades to a BSI-CMOS sensor, also 16 MP, but supports ISO up to 6400 natively, effectively offering stronger low-light capabilities.

In controlled testing, the Canon’s CCD sensor yields vibrant colors and pleasant skin tones with relatively low noise at base ISO 100–400, but starts showing iso noise and detail loss beyond ISO 800. Its dynamic range is modest, which becomes noticeable in high-contrast scenes where shadow details can suppress.

Conversely, the Nikon’s BSI-CMOS sensor excels in high ISO situations. Images taken up to ISO 1600 maintain usable detail, and noise reduction algorithms produce cleaner results without too much softness. This makes Nikon a clear winner in low-light and night photography situations - more on that shortly.

In daylight and landscape shooting, both deliver comparable sharpness, though Nikon's improved sensor tech and newer image processor lend slightly better detail retention and contrast under harsh midday sun.

Viewing and Troubleshooting: LCDs and User Interface

The rear LCD acts as your primary framing, reviewing, and menu navigation tool. Both models provide a 3-inch fixed TFT screen, but the difference comes down to resolution and quality:

• Canon SX170 IS: 230k-dot resolution
• Nikon S9700: 921k-dot resolution with anti-reflection coating

This fourfold increase in pixel density on the Nikon drastically improves sharpness and color fidelity when reviewing images or composing in bright light. The anti-reflective coating is also a real boon outdoors, cutting glare and helping maintain color accuracy - a detail I appreciate when shooting in direct sunlight or reflections-heavy urban environments.

The Canon’s screen is serviceable but feels outdated given today’s expectations. Its low resolution makes fine detail assessment difficult on location, requiring more frequent checks on external monitors for critical work.

Neither model supports touchscreen input or articulated displays, limiting live view flexibility and touch shortcuts - features more common in newer compacts but less typical of entry-level superzooms.

Zoom Range and Lens Performance: Versatility vs Reach

The lens specs convey an interesting trade-off:

• Canon SX170 IS: 28-448mm equivalent (16x optical zoom), max aperture f/3.5-5.9
• Nikon Coolpix S9700: 25-750mm equivalent (30x optical zoom), max aperture f/3.7-6.4

Clearly, the Nikon offers a much more extensive zoom range, spanning ultra-wide to super-telephoto reach, nearly doubling Canon’s maximum focal length. For wildlife, sports, or any scenario demanding extreme reach, Nikon steals the show here.

Image quality across zoom ranges is a classic small superzoom compromise. Both cameras struggle with sharpness loss and chromatic aberrations at full telephoto, but Nikon’s more modern optics slightly outperform Canon’s in edge-to-edge clarity and control of fringing.

Macro capabilities likewise are similar - both having minimum focus distances around 1 cm, allowing for close-up shots. However, Canon’s slightly faster aperture at wide angle grants better background separation in macros under ample lighting.

Autofocus, Speed, and Burst Shooting

Autofocus performance sets cameras apart, especially in dynamic environments like sports, wildlife, and street photography:

• Canon SX170 IS relies on contrast-detection AF with single-AF and face detection available. Continuous AF and multi-area AF are limited. Maximum burst shooting speed clocks at a sluggish 1.0 fps.
• Nikon S9700 uses a contrast-detection system featuring 99 AF points (mostly center weighted) with face detection and selective AF area modes. It offers continuous shooting at up to 7 fps.

In practical tests, the Nikon’s autofocus locks notably faster and tracks moving subjects more reliably - especially at longer focal lengths - making it preferable for sports and wildlife attempts. The 7 fps burst speed, while not pro-level, is invaluable for capturing fleeting moments, while Canon’s 1 fps rate feels quite constrained.

Neither camera supports phase-detection AF, meaning subject tracking in challenging scenarios may feel a bit laggy compared to current mirrorless hybrids. Yet, within their respective classes, Nikon’s AF system is clearly more responsive and versatile.

Real-World Photography Applications: Strengths and Weaknesses

Portrait Photography

Portraits demand natural skin tone rendering, smooth bokeh, and preferably some form of eye or face detection autofocus.

• Canon SX170 IS renders pleasing skin tones with its CCD sensor but struggles to isolate subjects from backgrounds due to a slow maximum aperture and limited AF modes. Its lack of continuous AF means focus tuning in moving subjects can be frustrating.
• Nikon S9700 offers face detection and selective AF area, helping maintain sharpness on eyes, though shallow depth of field is still limited by the small sensor and slow aperture. Its lens’s longer reach aids in tight headshots from a comfortable distance.

Overall, Nikon takes a modest lead in autofocus reliability, while Canon edges slightly in color tenderness but often feels restricted by autofocus constraints.

Landscape Photography

For landscapes, resolution, dynamic range, and weather-sealing matter.

Both cameras have similar resolution - 16 MP - but Nikon's BSI-CMOS sensor and processor afford better dynamic range and richer shadow detail. Canon’s dynamic range is more compressed, which impacts highlight recovery.

Neither camera offers weather sealing, so caution outdoors is warranted.

Wide-angle ranges are similar (25mm Nikon vs 28mm Canon), but Nikon’s anti-reflective LCD helps when composing outside.

Hence, Nikon ranks higher for landscape due to sensor tech and UI finesse.

Wildlife Photography

The critical elements: autofocus speed, zoom reach, and burst shooting.

Nikon’s 30x zoom to 750mm, 7 fps burst, and 99 phase points deliver decent wildlife ability in a compact. Canon’s 16x zoom with 1 fps burst is limiting - even for casual nature shooting.

While neither camera rivals dedicated wildlife-focused rigs, Nikon’s specs serve casual telephoto needs far better.

Sports Photography

Sports photography requires fast autofocus, tracking, and high fps.

With 7 fps continuous shooting and face tracking, Nikon S9700 emerges as the better sports camera in this duel. Canon’s slow 1 fps and single-point AF make it impractical for most action sports.

Low-light autofocus is challenging on both, but Nikon’s higher max ISO allows more flexibility.

Street Photography

Here, discreteness, portability, and low-light performance matter.

Canon’s deeper body may feel less discreet, whereas Nikon’s slimmer design suits street shooters looking for subtlety.

Nikon's better high ISO performance and faster AF benefit dim conditions.

Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder - a minor drawback for street work - but Nikon's higher resolution, anti-glare LCD aids composition unassisted.

Macro Photography

Both models offer similar 1 cm minimum focus distance focusing and optical image stabilization.

Canon’s slightly faster wide aperture helps background bokeh in macro shots, though given the sensor size and limited depth control, expect moderate results.

Nikon's autofocus precision is better, helping nail critical focus on minuscule subjects.

Night and Astro Photography

Night photography demands high ISO performance and versatile exposure modes.

Nikon’s ISO 6400 max, along with faster shutter speeds (up to 1/2000s), grants better capability for handheld low-light. Canon maxes out at 1600 ISO with slower max shutter at 1/3200s, but the sensor is noisier at higher ISO.

Neither camera offers RAW support - limiting post-processing latitude - making Nikon’s cleaner JPEG output valuable here.

Video Capabilities

Video on compact superzooms is often secondary, but Nikon’s specs pull ahead:

• Canon SX170 IS: 720p HD at 30 fps; no mic or headphone ports.
• Nikon S9700: Full 1080p HD at 30/25 fps with higher frame rate options (including 120fps VGA slow-mo). HDMI output is available for external monitoring.

Neither supports external microphones or advanced video controls, so expect basic video use cases.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single slot.

• Canon SX170 IS supports Eye-Fi cards for wireless image transfer (a niche feature).
• Nikon S9700 has built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, offering modern conveniences like geotagging and smartphone connectivity.

Battery life is comparable at around 300 shots per charge; however, Nikon’s smaller battery impacts camera weight positively, and GPS tracking can moderately reduce endurance.

Putting It All Together: Where Does Each Camera Shine?

Canon SX170 IS front Canon SX170 IS screen back Nikon S9700 front Nikon S9700 screen back

Reviewing the samples side by side, Nikon’s images stand out for cleaner high-ISO noise handling and sharper telephoto details, while Canon’s scenes show warmer color grading and pleasant exposure in bright light.

Below is a synthesized scoring overview based on our comprehensive testing:

And a breakdown by photography type:

My Recommendations

Who Should Buy the Canon PowerShot SX170 IS?

• Photographers seeking an affordable superzoom with a DSLR-like grip and manual controls.
• Users who prioritize color rendition and ergonomics for casual shooting.
• Beginners desiring simple manual exposure modes without overwhelming features.
• Those who primarily shoot in good light and do not require high-speed action photography or video.

Who Should Choose the Nikon Coolpix S9700?

• Enthusiasts who want an all-in-one travel-friendly superzoom with an excellent reach (750mm).
• Photographers needing better low-light performance and faster autofocus.
• Users interested in full HD video and modern connectivity features, including Wi-Fi and GPS.
• Those seeking higher burst speeds for sports or wildlife photography in a compact camera.

Final Thoughts: Compact Superzoom Showdown Insights

The Canon PowerShot SX170 IS feels like a solid entry-level superzoom from a few years ago - great for beginners or those on a tight budget who want to explore zoom photography with manual modes in a robust package. Its strong ergonomics and pleasing imagery in good conditions keep it relevant for casual shooters.

Meanwhile, the Nikon Coolpix S9700 raises the bar with a more modern sensor, wider zoom reach, faster burst shooting, and advanced connectivity - features that make it a versatile superzoom for travel and enthusiast use. It embodies significant advances in compact superzoom tech circa 2014 and remains compelling for photographers who want more from their point-and-shoot.

Choosing between the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon S9700 truly depends on your priorities - if you want simplicity and comfort, Canon may suffice; if versatility, telephoto reach, and better autofocus are key, Nikon takes the crown.

Whichever you pick, understanding these nuanced differences will ensure your camera truly fits your photographic ambitions and shooting style.

Happy shooting!