Canon A580 vs Nikon 170

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Canon A580 vs Nikon 170

1/2.5 inch 24.7mm²
8.0 megapixels
35.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon A580 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A580.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
8.3 megapixels
15.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Nikon 170 Review.

Buy From

Differences

Canon A580 advantages over Nikon 170

Less expensive
$150 vs $400 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
More telephoto lens reach
140 mm vs 15 mm
Capture objects farther away
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

500 vs 250 shots
Capture more photos
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.
Longer exposure
15 vs 1/2 sec
Long exposures for night shots

Nikon 170 advantages over Canon A580

Larger sensor
1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Waterproof
Yes vs No
Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs No
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Newer
8 years vs 16 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Lighter weight
134g vs 225g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
345k vs 115k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Wider angle lens
15 mm vs 35 mm
Capture more of the scene
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
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

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Neither provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon A580

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon 170

NIkon KeyMission 170

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon A580 Review

We haven’t reviewed the Nikon 170.
Read our Nikon 170 Preview

The Competition

Compared to Canon A590 IS

Canon A580

Canon A590 IS

$150
1/2.5 inch

Less expensive
Fast startup

$219
1/2.5 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon A580 vs Canon A590 IS

Nikon 170

Canon A590 IS

$179
1/2.3 inch

Larger sensor
Waterproof

$219
1/2.5 inch

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon 170 vs Canon A590 IS

Compared to Canon E1

Canon A580

Canon E1

$150
1/2.5 inch

Less expensive
Fast startup

$200
1/2.3 inch

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon A580 vs Canon E1

Nikon 170

Canon E1

$179
1/2.3 inch

Waterproof
Shoot 4K video

$200
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon 170 vs Canon E1

Compared to Canon A1000 IS

Canon A580

Canon A1000 IS

$150
1/2.5 inch

Less expensive
Fast startup

$200
1/2.3 inch

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon A580 vs Canon A1000 IS

Nikon 170

Canon A1000 IS

$179
1/2.3 inch

Waterproof
Shoot 4K video

$200
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon 170 vs Canon A1000 IS

Compared to Nokia N8

Canon A580

Nokia N8

$150
1/2.5 inch

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$549
1/1.83 inch

Larger sensor
Touchscreen

Compare Canon A580 vs Nokia N8

Nikon 170

Nokia N8

$179
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Waterproof

$549
1/1.83 inch

Larger sensor
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon 170 vs Nokia N8

Compared to Samsung Galaxy S II

Canon A580

Samsung Galaxy S II

$150
1/2.5 inch

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$200
1/3.2 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Canon A580 vs Samsung Galaxy S II

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

Compare Nikon 170 vs Samsung Galaxy S II

Compare Other Cameras?