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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon D4s

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Nikon D4s front
Portability
50
Imaging
64
Features
84
Overall
72

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon D4s 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
  • Announced August 2013
  • Superseded the Canon SX160 IS
Nikon D4s
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Bump to 409600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1350g - 160 x 157 x 91mm
  • Launched February 2014
  • Succeeded the Nikon D4
  • Replacement is Nikon D5
Photography Glossary

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon D4s Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon D4s, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Pro DSLR by brands Canon and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the D4s (16MP) is fairly comparable but the SX170 IS (1/2.3") and D4s (Full frame) come with totally different sensor size.

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The SX170 IS was introduced 6 months prior to the D4s which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Nikon D4s being a Large SLR camera.

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SX170 IS matches up versus the D4s in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Nikon D4s

 SX170 IS D4s 

Reasons to pick Nikon D4s over the Canon SX170 IS

 D4s SX170 IS 
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Nikon D4s

 SX170 IS D4s 
LaunchedAugust 2013February 2014Same age
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon D4s Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Canon SX170 IS features external dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Nikon D4s has specifications of 160mm x 157mm x 91mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 1350 grams (2.98 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon D4s in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX170 IS compared to the D4s.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon D4s size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and D4s is 88 and 50 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon D4s top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon D4s Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizes just by going through technical specs. The pic underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX170 IS and D4s.

As you can tell, each of the cameras posses the exact same resolution but not the same sensor sizes. The SX170 IS contains the smaller sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF trickier.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon D4s sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon D4s Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon D4s Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX170 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon D4s
44
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
78
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography advice
Nikon D4s Street photography advice
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (251 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
58
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
good high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography info
Nikon D4s Sports photography info
48
great zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
75
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery life (3,020 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography advice
Nikon D4s Travel photography advice
68
lighter than competitors in class (251g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
long zoom (448mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
62
good battery life (3,020 CIPA)
environment proofing
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX170 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon D4s
49
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
76
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inches)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
good battery life (3,020 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX170 IS
Vlogging with Nikon D4s
31
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than competitors in class (251 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone port
28
features face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone jack
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
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Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon D4s Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Nikon D4s
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISNikon D4s
General Information
Make Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Nikon D4s
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro DSLR
Announced 2013-08-22 2014-02-24
Body design Compact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 Expeed 4
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 36 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 860.4mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 5:4 and 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3280
Highest native ISO 1600 25600
Highest enhanced ISO - 409600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 51
Cross focus points - 15
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Nikon F
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 309
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD with brightness and color adjustment
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto FP high-speed sync, front-curtain, rear-curtain, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250 seconds
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 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 251g (0.55 pounds) 1350g (2.98 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 160 x 157 x 91mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 89
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.3
DXO Low light score not tested 3074
Other
Battery life 300 photos 3020 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH EN-EL18a
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2-20 seconds, 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC CompactFlash, XQD
Storage slots 1 Two
Retail pricing $0 $6,498