• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 624.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 448.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon Coolpix P90
  • Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Canon SX160
SX160 vs SX170
Successor:    
General
Model Number: P90 SX170
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: EVF Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $399.95 $179.99
Street Price:    
Date Available: 2009-03-15 2013-09-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 17.5 oz (495 g)
includes batteries
8.9 oz (251 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.5 x 3.3 x 3.9 in.
(114 x 83 x 99 mm)
4.3 x 2.8 x 1.7 in.
(108 x 71 x 44 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CCD
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 16.0
Sensor Format: 1/2.33 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 28.198mm2 (6.13mm x 4.6mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.53 microns 1.34 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:    
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):    
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):    
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):    
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
3968 x 2232 (8.9 MP, 16:9),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1280 x 960 (1.2 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 3456 (11.9 MP, 1:1),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 1832 (6.0 MP, 16:9),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
2448 x 2448 (6.0 MP, 1:1),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 1.4 0.8
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (30/​15)
320x240 (15)
1280x720 (25p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) MOV (Image data: H.264, Audio data: Linear PCM (stereo))
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: No
HD Video Connection:
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Nikkor ED lens Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 26 - 624mm 28 - 448mm
Focal Length (actual): 4.6 - 110.4mm 5 - 80mm
Zoom Ratio: 24.00x 16.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (Wide) - f/5.0 (Tele) f/3.5 (W) / f/5.9 (T) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 1 cm to Infinity
0.4 in to Infinity
1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast detect with Face-priority AF; 9-area Auto, 99-area manual select, center Contrast Detection; Face Detect AiAF, Single AF point (center or face select and track)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF type; 0.24", 230K pixel color LCD  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution:   n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 230,000 dots (76,666 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   1600
Minimum ISO (native):   100
ISO Settings: Auto (64 - 800), 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 2000, 3200*, 6400* (* at 3MP or less) Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Preset Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/2000 - 8 sec 1/3200 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 256-segment matrix, Center-weighted, Spot, Spot AF area Evaluative, Centre-weighted average, Spot (Center); Facial brightness is evaluated in Face Detection AF
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   SCN:Portrait, Face Self-timer, Low Light, Snow, Fireworks; Creative Filters: Fisheye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect
Self Timer: 10 or 3 seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto with red-eye reduction, Anytime flash, Flash cancel, Slow sync., Rear-curtain sync Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Slow Synchro; Red-Eye Reduction available
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: [Wide Angle]: Approx. 0.5 to 8.0m; [Tele]: Approx. 1.7 to 5.0m Auto ISO: 1.6 - 9.8 ft. (W), 2.0 - 6.6 ft. (T) (50cm - 3.0m (W), 60cm - 2.0m (T))
Max Flash Sync:    
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No No
Uncompressed Format:    
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) MOV (Image data: H.264, Audio data: Linear PCM (stereo))
Included Memory: 47.0 MB No memory included
Included Memory Type: Internal  
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended):    
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.02  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 1.4 0.8
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 13 Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.53 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.48 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.84 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.015 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 2.8 seconds  
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power: 6.6 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 200 shots 300 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL5 Proprietary NB-6LH
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL5 Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-6LH Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes No
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Nikon Software Suite CD-ROM Canon software suite (ImageBrowser EX, PhotoStitch)
OS Compatibility: Windows Vista (32bit), XP; Mac OS X 10.3.9, 10.4. Windows, Mac OS X
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical VR image stabilization, Motion Detection, Best Shot Selector (BSS), In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, Enhanced Face-Priority AF, Smile Mode, Blink Proof. DIGIC 4 processor, 720p HD video.