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Canon 170 IS vs Sony T90

Portability
95
Imaging
45
Features
29
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90 front
Portability
96
Imaging
34
Features
26
Overall
30

Canon 170 IS vs Sony T90 Key Specs

Canon 170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.6-7.0) lens
  • 141g - 100 x 58 x 23mm
  • Announced January 2015
  • Also referred to as IXUS 170
Sony T90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 148g - 94 x 57 x 15mm
  • Launched February 2009
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Canon 170 IS vs Sony T90 Overview

Following is a extensive overview of the Canon 170 IS vs Sony T90, both Ultracompact digital cameras by companies Canon and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the 170 IS (20MP) and T90 (12MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The 170 IS was released 5 years after the T90 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a concise overview of how the 170 IS grades vs the T90 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Sony T90

 170 IS T90 
LaunchedJanuary 2015February 2009More modern by 72 months

Reasons to pick Sony T90 over the Canon 170 IS

 T90 170 IS 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon 170 IS and Sony T90

 170 IS T90 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Canon 170 IS vs Sony T90 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon 170 IS offers outside measurements of 100mm x 58mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Sony T90 has sizing of 94mm x 57mm x 15mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.6") along with a weight of 148 grams (0.33 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon 170 IS vs Sony T90 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the 170 IS against the T90.

Canon 170 IS vs Sony T90 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the 170 IS and T90 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Canon 170 IS vs Sony T90 top view buttons comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Sony T90 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading through technical specs. The pic underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the 170 IS and T90.

As you have seen, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can expect the Canon 170 IS to give extra detail as a result of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more modern 170 IS should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Canon 170 IS vs Sony T90 sensor size comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Sony T90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 170 IS vs Sony T90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 170 IS Portrait photography info
Sony T90 Portrait photography info
38
decent MP (20 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
27
manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon 170 IS Street photography info
Sony T90 Street photography info
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than competition (148 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon 170 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony T90 as a Sports photography camera
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps low (0.8 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon 170 IS Travel photography advice
Sony T90 Travel photography advice
69
decent MP (20MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.6)
50
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (148g)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 170 IS Landscape photography information
Sony T90 Landscape photography information
41
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.6)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
36
manual focus
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 170 IS Vlogging features
Sony T90 Vlogging features
32
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.6)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone socket
27
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
more heavy than competition (148 grams)
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Canon 170 IS vs Sony T90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 170 IS and Sony T90
 Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-T90
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90
Otherwise known as IXUS 170 -
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 2015-01-06 2009-02-17
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4+ -
Sensor type CCD 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 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5152 x 3864 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.6-7.0 f/3.5-10.0
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 1 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 0.8fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 2.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 141g (0.31 pounds) 148g (0.33 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 58 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") 94 x 57 x 15mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 200 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-11L/LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $149 $259