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Canon ELPH 310 HS vs Sony W550

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Canon ELPH 310 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Canon ELPH 310 HS vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Canon ELPH 310 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 140g - 96 x 57 x 22mm
  • Launched August 2011
  • Alternative Name is IXUS 230 HS
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Revealed July 2011
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Canon ELPH 310 HS vs Sony W550 Overview

Below is a complete review of the Canon ELPH 310 HS versus Sony W550, both Ultracompact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ELPH 310 HS (12MP) and the W550 (14MP) is relatively similar and they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The ELPH 310 HS was released very close to the W550 and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the ELPH 310 HS scores vs the W550 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 310 HS over the Sony W550

 ELPH 310 HS W550 
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Canon ELPH 310 HS

 W550 ELPH 310 HS 

Common features in the Canon ELPH 310 HS and Sony W550

 ELPH 310 HS W550 
RevealedAugust 2011July 2011Similar generation
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon ELPH 310 HS vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon ELPH 310 HS features exterior dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 140 grams (0.31 lbs) whilst the Sony W550 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Examine the Canon ELPH 310 HS versus Sony W550 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the ELPH 310 HS against the W550.

Canon ELPH 310 HS vs Sony W550 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the ELPH 310 HS and W550 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Canon ELPH 310 HS vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Canon ELPH 310 HS vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements just by reading specs. The graphic here will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the ELPH 310 HS and W550.

All in all, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should count on the Sony W550 to deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively.

Canon ELPH 310 HS vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 310 HS vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 310 HS vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 310 HS Portrait photography information
Sony W550 Portrait photography information
26
includes face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon ELPH 310 HS as a Street photography camera
Sony W550 as a Street photography camera
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon ELPH 310 HS Sports photography factors
Sony W550 Sports photography factors
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
35
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon ELPH 310 HS
Travel photography with Sony W550
58
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
low MP (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
65
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon ELPH 310 HS
Landscape photography with Sony W550
37
quite wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
42
rather wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
manual mode not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 310 HS Vlogging factors
Sony W550 Vlogging factors
33
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
missing external mic jack
29
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone socket
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Canon ELPH 310 HS vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 310 HS and Sony W550
 Canon ELPH 310 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model Canon ELPH 310 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Also referred to as IXUS 230 HS -
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2011-08-23 2011-07-24
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-224mm (8.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech PureColor II G TFT LCD Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m 3.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 140 gr (0.31 lb) 110 gr (0.24 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 210 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-4L NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 -
Price at launch $400 $119