• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 84.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 8.3 megapixels
  • 15.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon G9X advantages over Nikon 170

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.61 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • More telephoto lens reach
    84 mm vs 15 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    30 mm vs 42 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 345k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 8.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 1/2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon 170 advantages over Canon G9X

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Lighter weight
    134g vs 206g
    Lighter weight
  • Wider angle lens
    15 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon G9X

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon 170

Review Excerpt

  • Smallest 1-inch sensor camera available; Slips in a pants pocket almost unnoticed; Bright lens at wide-angle; Great image quality; Swift 6.5 fps JPEG burst shooting; Intuitive touch-screen control; In-camera Wi-Fi gets images onto your phone easily

  • Limited 3x zoom range; Tighter wide-angle than competitors; JPEG buffer limited to 10 frames; very slow bracketing / raw burst shooting; Touch-screen menus take lots of tapping; Poor battery life

The Competition

Compared to Canon S100

Canon G9X
Canon S100
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
Nikon 170
Canon S100
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nokia N8

Canon G9X
Nokia N8
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Thinner
Nikon 170
Nokia N8
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Samsung Galaxy S II

Canon G9X
Samsung Galaxy S II
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Thinner
Nikon 170
Samsung Galaxy S II
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash

Compared to Canon S110

Canon G9X
Canon S110
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 24p video
Nikon 170
Canon S110
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon G9X Mark II

Canon G9X
Canon G9X Mark II
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $449
  • 1 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Nikon 170
Canon G9X Mark II
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $449
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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