• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 448.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 900.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX170 advantages over Nikon B500

  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 96 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    251g vs 541g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 1 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon B500 advantages over Canon SX170

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.0 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • More telephoto lens reach
    900 mm vs 448 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 77k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Wider angle lens
    23 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.4 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon L610

Canon SX170
Nikon L610
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
Nikon B500
Nikon L610
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Canon SX160

Canon SX170
Canon SX160
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $146
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
Nikon B500
Canon SX160
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $146
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon L620

Canon SX170
Nikon L620
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $127
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon B500
Nikon L620
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $127
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Nikon P530

Canon SX170
Nikon P530
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
Nikon B500
Nikon P530
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Manual focus

Compared to Nikon L840

Canon SX170
Nikon L840
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture
Nikon B500
Nikon L840
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer exposure
Compare Other Cameras?