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Canon 170 IS vs Sony TX20

Portability
95 Imaging
45 Features
29 Overall
38
Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 front
Portability
96 Imaging
39 Features
50 Overall
43

Canon 170 IS vs Sony TX20 Key Specs

Canon 170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.6-7.0) lens
  • 141g - 100 x 58 x 23mm
  • Revealed January 2015
  • Also referred to as IXUS 170
Sony TX20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 133g - 96 x 56 x 18mm
  • Launched February 2012
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Canon 170 IS vs Sony TX20 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Canon 170 IS vs Sony TX20, both Ultracompact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the 170 IS (20MP) and TX20 (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The 170 IS was released 2 years later than the TX20 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick overview of how the 170 IS grades vs the TX20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Sony TX20

		

		

			
 170 IS TX20 
LaunchedJanuary 2015February 2012Fresher by 35 months
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony TX20 over the Canon 170 IS

		

		

			
 TX20 170 IS 
Manual focus  Dial precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)
Touch screen  Quickly navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Canon 170 IS and Sony TX20

		

		

			
 170 IS TX20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen  Neither comes with selfie screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Canon 170 IS vs Sony TX20 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
In case you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon 170 IS comes with exterior measurements of 100mm x 58mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Sony TX20 has sizing of 96mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).
See the Canon 170 IS vs Sony TX20 in our completely 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 at that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the 170 IS against the TX20.
Canon 170 IS vs Sony TX20 size comparison
Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the 170 IS and TX20 is 95 and 96 respectively.
Canon 170 IS vs Sony TX20 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Canon 170 IS vs Sony TX20 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Usually, it can be difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing purely by looking through specifications. The graphic underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the 170 IS and TX20.
Plainly, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Canon 170 IS to render greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The younger 170 IS will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.
	
			Canon 170 IS vs Sony TX20 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Canon 170 IS vs Sony TX20 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Canon 170 IS vs Sony TX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Portrait photography with Canon 170 IS
Portrait photography with Sony TX20
38
 decent megapixels (20MP)
 supports face detection autofocus
 no manual focus
 manual mode not available
 external flash not possible
 tiny sensor (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
40
 has manual focus
 decent MP (16MP)
 includes face detect autofocus
 manual exposure not possible
 external flash not possible
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison
Canon 170 IS Street photography info
Sony TX20 Street photography info
59
 image stabilization (Optical)
 screen is fixed
 tiny sensor (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
67
 has image stabilization (Optical)
 provides focus via touch
 environment proof
 no moving screen
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison
Canon 170 IS Sports photography info
Sony TX20 Sports photography info
43
 image stabilization (Optical)
 decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
 supports tracking autofocus
 very slow continuous shooting (0.8 fps)
 lack of shutter priority mode
 tiny sensor (1/2.3")
 does not have phase detect autofocus
50
 has image stabilization (Optical)
 decent MP (16 megapixels)
 includes tracking focus
 environment proof
 better than average battery pack (250 per charge)
 no shutter priority mode
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison
Travel photography with Canon 170 IS
Travel photography with Sony TX20
69
 decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
 flash built-in
 reasonably wide (25mm)
 great zoom (300mm)
 missing Time Lapse function
 screen isn't selfie friendly
 sluggish max aperture (f3.6)
72
 better than average battery pack (250 CIPA)
 environment proof
 provides focus via touch
 decent MP (16 megapixels)
 flash built-in
 rather wide (25mm)
 lack of Time Lapse mode
 does not feature selfie friendly screen
 slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison
Canon 170 IS Landscape photography information
Sony TX20 Landscape photography information
41
 reasonably wide (25mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
 no manual focus
 lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
 sluggish max aperture (f3.6)
 screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
 manual mode not available
 tiny sensor (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
 missing Time Lapse function
52
 has manual focus
 rather wide (25mm)
 screen is a decent size (3 inch)
 has image stabilization (Optical)
 decent MP (16 megapixels)
 environment proof
 better than average battery pack (250 per charge)
 fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
 slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
 manual exposure not possible
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW format
 lack of Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary
Vlogging Comparison
 Canon 170 IS as a Vlogging camera
 Sony TX20 as a Vlogging camera
32
 reasonably wide (25mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 supports face detection autofocus
 sluggish max aperture (f3.6)
 screen isn't selfie friendly
 video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
 missing external mic socket
35
 rather wide (25mm)
 touchscreen enabled
 has image stabilization (Optical)
 includes face detect autofocus
 high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
 slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
 does not feature selfie friendly screen
 lack of mic port
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Canon 170 IS vs Sony TX20 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 170 IS and Sony TX20
 Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
Alternative name IXUS 170 -
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Revealed 2015-01-06 2012-02-28
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4+ BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 4:3 and  16:9 4:3 and  16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5152 x 3864 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW images    
Autofocusing
Manual focus    
AF touch    
Continuous AF    
Single AF    
AF tracking    
Selective AF    
AF center weighted    
AF multi area    
AF live view    
Face detection focusing    
Contract detection focusing    
Phase detection focusing    
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.6-7.0 f/3.5-4.6
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch operation    
Screen technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 0.8 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual exposure    
Change WB    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash range 4.00 m 3.70 m
Flash modes Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe    
AEB    
White balance bracketing    
Exposure
Multisegment exposure    
Average exposure    
Spot exposure    
Partial exposure    
AF area exposure    
Center weighted exposure    
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack    
Headphone jack    
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 141 grams (0.31 pounds) 133 grams (0.29 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 58 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") 96 x 56 x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 photos 250 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-11L/LH NP-BN
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 card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $149 $330