Canon 170 IS vs Sony T90
95 Imaging
45 Features
29 Overall
38


96 Imaging
34 Features
26 Overall
30
Canon 170 IS vs Sony T90 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon 170 IS vs Sony T90 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90. The complete galleries are available at Canon 170 IS Gallery & Sony T90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Sony T90
170 IS | T90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2015 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 72 months |
Reasons to pick Sony T90 over the Canon 170 IS
T90 | 170 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Canon 170 IS and Sony T90
170 IS | T90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Sony T90 Specifications
Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS | Sony 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 |