• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 675.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 448.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Nikon L820 advantages over Canon SX170

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.0 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • More telephoto lens reach
    675 mm vs 448 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 230k 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
    23 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX170 advantages over Nikon L820

  • 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 84 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    251g vs 470g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 6 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
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon L820
Nikon L820

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX170

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon L810

Nikon L820
Nikon L810
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out

Compare Nikon L820 vs Nikon L810

Canon SX170
Nikon L810
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX170 vs Nikon L810

Compared to Canon SX160

Nikon L820
Canon SX160
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $146
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Nikon L820 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 Samsung WB100

Nikon L820
Samsung WB100
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon L820 vs Samsung WB100

Canon SX170
Samsung WB100
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon SX170 vs Samsung WB100

Compared to Nikon L620

Nikon L820
Nikon L620
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $127
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner

Compare Nikon L820 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

Compared to Fujifilm S8600

Nikon L820
Fujifilm S8600
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon L820 vs Fujifilm S8600

Canon SX170
Fujifilm S8600
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Canon SX170 vs Fujifilm S8600

Compare Other Cameras?