Nikon L120 vs Canon SX170 IS Comparison

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Nikon L120

14 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CCD Sensor

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Canon SX170 IS

16 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CCD Sensor

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Nikon L120 vs Canon SX170 IS Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing L120 and SX170 IS, two Small Sensor Superzoom cameras from Nikon and Canon. Both cameras have 1/2.3-inch sensors but Nikon L120 has a 14.0 MP and Canon SX170 IS has a 16.0 MP resolution. Nikon L120 was introduced to market in February 2011 and Canon SX170 IS was launched in August 2013. As you can see, L120 is 2 years older than SX170 IS. Let's see if this age difference between two cameras makes a big difference.

Here is a brief look at the main features of Nikon L120 and Canon SX170 IS before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Nikon L120 Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2011-02-09

14MP - 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor

ISO 80 - 6400

25-525 mm F3.1-5.8 Zoom Lens

Sensor-shift Image Stabilization

3" Fixed Type Screen

1 fps continuous shooting

HD - 1280 x 720 video resolution

431g. 110 x 77 x 78 mm

Replaced Nikon Coolpix L110 Compare

Canon SX170 IS Key Specs

Announcement Date: 2013-08-22

16MP - 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor

ISO 100 - 1600

28-448 mm F3.5-5.9 Zoom Lens

Optical Image Stabilization

3" Fixed Type Screen

1 fps continuous shooting

HD - 1280 x 720 video resolution

251g. 108 x 71 x 44 mm

Replaced Canon PowerShot SX160 IS Compare

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Nikon L120 and Canon SX170 IS compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Reasons to choose Nikon Coolpix L120 over Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

Max ISO	6.400 vs 1.600	300% higher Max ISO
LCD Screen Resolution	921k dots vs 230k dots	300% higher resolution screen
Max Mech. Shutter	1/4000s vs 1/3200s	faster mechanical shutter
Battery Life	330 shots vs 300 shots	30 more frames with a single charge
Focal Length - Wide	25mm vs 28mm	3 mm wider coverage
Focal Length - Tele	525mm vs 448mm	77 mm longer tele reach
Optical Zoom	21× vs 16×	more flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Wide	3.10 vs 3.50	faster lens at wide
Max Aperture - Tele	5.80 vs 5.90	faster lens at tele
Flash Coverage	6.0m vs 3.0m	3m longer range
Sensor Pixel Area	2.01µm² vs 1.76µm²	14% larger pixel area

Reasons to choose Canon PowerShot SX170 IS over Nikon Coolpix L120

Max Sensor Resolution	16 MP vs 14 MP	14% more pixels
Weight	251 g vs 431 g	180 g lighter
Manual Exposure	Yes vs No	better exposure control

Common Strengths of Nikon Coolpix L120 and Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

Image Stabilization	Sensor-shift vs Optical	Sharper images at longer focal lengths and long exposures
Built-in Flash	Yes vs Yes	Useful in low-light
Face Detection Focus	Yes vs Yes	very handy for portraits
Focal Length - Tele	525mm vs 448mm	Very good Telezoom

Common Weaknesses of Nikon Coolpix L120 and Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

Fixed Screen	Fixed Type vs No	No flexible viewing angles
External Flash Shoe	No vs No	Not suitable for flash photography
Viewfinder	None vs None	No eye-level shooting option
RAW Support	No vs No	Lower image quality
Continuous Shooting	1.0fps vs 1.0fps	Slow shooting speeds
Environmental Sealing	No vs No	not suitable for tough conditions
Max Aperture - Tele	5.80 vs 5.90	Slow lenses at tele

Nikon L120 vs Canon SX170 IS: Physical Specs and Body features Comparison

Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, We are going to illustrate Nikon L120 and Canon SX170 IS side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Nikon L120 has external dimensions of 110 x 77 x 78 mm (4.33 x 3.03 x 3.07″) and weighs 431 g (0.95 lb / 15.20 oz) (including batteries). Canon SX170 IS has external dimensions of 108 x 71 x 44 mm (4.25 x 2.8 x 1.73″) and weighs 251 g (0.55 lb / 8.85 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Nikon L120 and Canon SX170 IS. Canon SX170 IS is clearly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 2mm narrower, 6mm shorter and 34mm thinner than Nikon L120.

Comparison image of Nikon L120 and Canon SX170 IS Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Nikon L120 and Canon SX170 IS.

Top View Comparison image of Nikon L120 and Canon SX170 IS Size

Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Canon SX170 IS is significantly lighter (180g ) than the Nikon L120 which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.

Weight Comparison

Compact Cameras

L120

SX170 IS

Min

Average

Max

Thickness Comparison

Compact Cameras

L120

SX170 IS

Min

Average

Max

Weather Sealing

Unfortunately neither Nikon Coolpix L120 nor Canon PowerShot SX170 IS provides any type of weather sealing in their body, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections:
Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing

LCD Screen Size and Features

Nikon L120 and Canon SX170 IS's LCD screens has the same diagonal size of 3".

Unfortunately, both cameras has fixed screens so they don't tilt or flip in directions.

Nikon L120 vs Canon SX170 IS: Sensor Comparison

Nikon L120 has a 14.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features Expeed C2 processor. On the other hand, Canon SX170 IS has a 16.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features Digic 4 processor.

Below you can see the L120 and SX170 IS sensor size comparison.

Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon L120 and Canon SX170 IS Cameras

Nikon L120 and Canon SX170 IS have sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture. On the other hand, since Nikon L120 has 14% larger pixel area compared to Canon SX170 IS, it has potential to collect more light on pixel level hence have less noise in low light / High ISO images.

Nikon L120 vs Canon SX170 IS Lens Specs Comparison

Nikon L120 features a 25-525 mm F3.1-5.8 21× zoom lens whereas Canon SX170 IS features a 28-448 mm F3.5-5.9 16× zoom lens.

Nikon L120 has 3mm wider coverage than the Canon SX170 IS. At f3.10, it is also faster at widest end. On the tele end, Nikon L120 has 77mm longer reach than the Canon SX170 IS. At f5.80, it is also faster at tele end.

Wide Coverage

Compact Cameras

L120

SX170 IS

Widest - Ricoh WG-M1

Average

Telezoom

Compact Cameras

L120

SX170 IS

Longest - Canon SX520 HS

Average

Max Aperture at Tele

Compact Cameras

L120

SX170 IS

Fastest - Ricoh GR Digital IV

Average

Max Aperture at Wide

Compact Cameras

L120

SX170 IS

Fastest - Leica D-Lux 6

Average

What types of Photography are Nikon L120 and Canon SX170 IS Good for?

In this section, we rank and compare Nikon L120 and Canon SX170 IS for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Nikon L120 for Portrait Photography

POOR

Canon SX170 IS for Portrait Photography

POOR

Image Stabilization
Average Resolution Sensor: 14.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Nikon L120 for Street Photography

GOOD

Canon SX170 IS for Street Photography

GOOD

Image Stabilization
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
Read the details

Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
28 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Built-in Viewfinder
Read the details

Nikon L120 for Sports Photography

POOR

Canon SX170 IS for Sports Photography

POOR

Image Stabilization
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/4000s
525 mm Tele Lens
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Slow Continuous Shooting: 1.0fps
Environmental Sealings
9 Focus Points
Slow Lens at Tele: f5.80
Read the details

Image Stabilization
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
448 mm Tele Lens
Average Max shutter speed: 1/3200s
No RAW shooting capability
No External Flash Shoe
No Built-in Viewfinder
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Slow Continuous Shooting: 1.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Unknown Focus Points
Slow Lens at Tele: f5.90
Read the details

Nikon L120 for Daily Photography

AVERAGE

Canon SX170 IS for Daily Photography

GOOD

Compact Body
21.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
431g
Body Thickness 78mm
Read the details

Compact Body
251g
16.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Body Thickness 44mm
Read the details

Nikon L120 for Landscape Photography

POOR

Canon SX170 IS for Landscape Photography

POOR

25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 14.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Manual Focus Mode
No Manual Exposure Mode
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
28 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Nikon L120 vs Canon SX170 IS: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Nikon L120 and Canon SX170 IS, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 63 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Nikon L120 and Canon SX170 IS scores compare:

Nikon L120

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #216 out of 475 in Compact cameras
Ranked #792 out of 1223 in all Cameras

Canon SX170 IS

Imaging

Features

Value

Portability

Overall

Ranked #186 out of 475 in Compact cameras
Ranked #750 out of 1223 in all Cameras

Canon SX170 IS has a higher Overall Score than the Nikon L120 and would be our choice if we have to decide between these two cameras.

Canon SX170 IS vs Nikon L120 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Nikon Coolpix L120	Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
Brand	Nikon	Canon
Announced	2011-02-09	2013-08-22
Body Type	Compact	Compact
Sensor
Type	CCD	CCD
Size	1/2.3-inch	1/2.3-inch
Dimensions	6.17 x 4.55 mm	6.17 x 4.55 mm
Area	28.07mm²	28.07mm²
Megapixels	14 megapixels	16 megapixels
Max Resolution	4320 x 3240	4608 x 3456
Max Native Light sensitivity	6,400 ISO	1,600 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity	80 ISO	100 ISO
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points	9	n/a
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount	fixed lens	fixed lens
Lens Focal Range	25-525 mm (21×)	28-448 mm (16×)
Max Aperture	F3.1-5.8	F3.5-5.9
Macro Focus Range	1cm	1cm
Screen
Type	Fixed type	Fixed type
Size	3"	3"
Resolution	921k dots	230k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	None	None
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter	1/4000s	1/3200s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Image Stabilization	Sensor-shift	Optical
Built-in Flash
Flash Range	6.00 m	3.00 m
External Flash
Continuous Shooting	1.0 fps	1.0 fps
Multi-Segment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF-Area
Center Weighted
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution	1280 x 720	1280 x 720
Video Formats	Motion JPEG	MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity	None	Eye-Fi Connected
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight	431g	251g
Dimensions	110 x 77 x 78mm	108 x 71 x 44mm
Battery Life	330 shots	300 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS	None	None
DxO Sensor Scores
	Report a correction	Report a correction