• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 525.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 448.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon L120 advantages over Canon SX170

  • More telephoto lens reach
    525 mm vs 448 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 520 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX170 advantages over Nikon L120

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $280 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    251g vs 454g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    0.8 fps vs 0.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 19 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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 Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon L120

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX170

Review Excerpt

  • 21x wide optical zoom; Fast shutter response; Sensor-shift Vibration Reduction; HD video with stereo audio; Smile timer; Very good battery life.

  • Poor autofocus at telephoto; Strong chromatic aberration; Soft video; Sport Continuous mode drops resolution to 3 megapixels; Detail is lost rapidly as ISO rises.

  • Read our Nikon L120 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm S1800

Nikon L120
Fujifilm S1800
  • $226
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • HDMI out
  • $207
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon L120 vs Fujifilm S1800

Canon SX170
Fujifilm S1800
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $207
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX170 vs Fujifilm S1800

Compared to Fujifilm S2800HD

Nikon L120
Fujifilm S2800HD
  • $226
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Wider angle lens
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer exposure

Compare Nikon L120 vs Fujifilm S2800HD

Canon SX170
Fujifilm S2800HD
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX170 vs Fujifilm S2800HD

Compared to Fujifilm S2950

Nikon L120
Fujifilm S2950
  • $226
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Wider angle lens
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon L120 vs Fujifilm S2950

Canon SX170
Fujifilm S2950
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX170 vs Fujifilm S2950

Compared to Canon SX160

Nikon L120
Canon SX160
  • $226
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $146
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Nikon L120 vs Canon SX160

Canon SX170
Canon SX160
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $146
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out

Compare Canon SX170 vs Canon SX160

Compared to Nikon L620

Nikon L120
Nikon L620
  • $226
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $127
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner

Compare Nikon L120 vs 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

Compare Canon SX170 vs Nikon L620

Compare Other Cameras?