Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX5 - A Hands-On Ultracompact Shootout for the Pragmatic Photographer

Choosing between two ultracompact cameras like the Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX5 might seem straightforward at first glance - both are pocket-friendly, aimed at casual shooters and enthusiasts craving convenience. But having personally tested both models extensively in varying conditions, I’m here to give you the lowdown on their strengths, weaknesses, and which one reigns supreme in your specific photographic playground.

This isn’t about marketing fluff or specs on paper only. Instead, I draw on hundreds of hours testing - scrutinizing everything from ergonomics to sensor tech, autofocus prowess to shooting versatility. By the time you finish reading, you'll have the nuanced insight you need to make a smart buy tailored to your style and budget.

So grab your finest camera bag and settle in: let’s dive deep into these two contenders.

Feeling in the Hand - Ergonomics & Design Details Matter More Than You’d Think

First impressions count. And that’s largely about size, grip, and button layout.

Both cameras share the ultracompact label but differ enough that your shooting comfort can hinge on this choice.

Canon ELPH 170 IS (left) versus Sony TX5 (right). Notice the Canon’s slightly chunkier profile.

The Canon 170 IS has a slightly boxier, 100 x 58 x 23 mm dimension, with a weight of approximately 141 grams. It feels a bit more substantial in hand, which some photographers prefer for stability, especially when shooting one-handed or at telephoto reach. The textured grip area is minimal but effective.

The Sony TX5, meanwhile, measures 94 x 57 x 18 mm and tips the scales at 148 grams, marginally heavier despite being smaller in footprint. Its sleeker, curvier design and slightly thinner body make it attractive. Notably, the Sony excels in environments where durability matters - it’s ruggedized with waterproofing (to 10m), dustproofing, shockproofing, and freezeproofing rated to -10°C. For travelers or anyone prone to accidents (raises hand), that’s a meaningful advantage.

Top views reveal different control philosophies - the Canon's simple dial and zoom rocker contrasting with the Sony’s sleeker, less tactile buttons.

When it comes to top controls, the Canon is refreshingly straightforward - a zoom rocker and shutter button dominate, suited for intuitive snaps. But no dedicated exposure compensation or shutter priority means you’re locked into mostly automated shooting. The Sony offers touch screen control on its 3-inch LCD, giving you more versatility lurking under the hood, although the buttons are less pronounced, which can be fiddly for gloves or quick adjustments.

In short, if tactile feel and easy one-handed control matter more, I lean toward the Canon’s ergonomics. But if durability and a larger touchscreen matter, the Sony TX5 takes the crown.

The Heart of the Beast - Sensor Technological Underpinnings and Image Quality

The sensor is the beating heart of any digital camera, and in this category, sensor size, resolution, and processing pipeline define image quality boundaries.

Side-by-side sensor comparison - Canon’s CCD sensor versus Sony’s BSI-CMOS.

The Canon 170 IS boasts a 1/2.3" CCD sensor with 20 megapixels resolution. While the pixel count is tempting, bigger doesn’t always mean better. The CCD sensor technology employed tends to yield pleasing colors and contrast but struggles with noise at higher ISOs. The 170 IS maxes out at ISO 1600, which is reasonable for an ultracompact but not exactly impressive for low-light work.

The Sony TX5, on the other hand, sports a 1/2.4" BSI-CMOS sensor with just 10 megapixels. That’s half the resolution, but the backside illumination (BSI) architecture is critical - it enhances light gathering efficiency, improving low-light performance and signal-to-noise ratio. Continuous testing shows the Sony’s sensor delivers cleaner images at ISO 800 and above compared to the Canon, producing less grain and smoother tonal gradations, especially in shadows.

Color depth and dynamic range weren't formally tested by DxOMark for either, but my real-world experience mirrored expectations: Canon’s higher resolution yields bit more detail in optimal light, but Sony’s sensor excels in challenging lighting, making it your friend for dusk or indoor shots.

Who’s Shooting What? Portraits to Landscapes and Everything In Between

Let's walk through how these cameras perform across the photographic disciplines many of you care about.

Portrait Photography - Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

Neither of these ultracompacts aims to replace a DSLR or mirrorless camera with large sensors for gorgeous portraits, but they choke less badly than you might suspect.

The Canon 170 IS has a 12x optical zoom (25–300mm equivalent) with max apertures of f/3.6–7.0. Its longer reach is a plus for tighter headshots or semi-telephoto compression. However, wide apertures are weak on both cameras; bokeh control is very limited. The Canon’s contrast-detection autofocus supports face detection reasonably well for an entry point camera, though it lacks advanced eye AF or animal recognition features. Consequently, sharp eyes are usually locked in at close distances in good light, but shutter lag and hunting crop in tricky lighting.

In contrast, the Sony TX5 has a shorter 4x zoom (25–100mm) with an aperture of f/3.5–6.3, limiting reach but benefiting from a slightly wider aperture at the long end. Yet face detection is missing here, so you can expect less confidence locking on subjects’ faces quickly or accurately in crowded or low-light environments.

If portraits with nice skin tones matter more than reach, Canon’s sensor and autofocus slightly edge out the Sony by virtue of face detection and longer lens.

Landscape Photography - Dynamic Range, Resolution, and Weather Sealing

Landscape shooters treasure image quality and reliability in the field.

The Canon 170 IS’s 20MP CCD can provide sharp, high-resolution landscapes framed with that full 25mm wide-angle. Dynamic range is decent enough for ultracompacts but you’ll have to mind your histogram to avoid blown highlights or crushed shadows. Lack of weather sealing means you cannot easily take it into wet or dusty environments without headache.

The Sony TX5’s BSI-CMOS sensor and rugged design open doors for serious outdoor adventures. While 10MP might sound low, the images hold up well with less noise and better shadow detail. The waterproofing and shockproofing let you shoot beach scenes, waterfall mists, and snowy peaks without worrying about damage.

So from a landscape shooter’s perspective, the Sony’s weather resilience and low-light fidelity tip the scales, but for pixel-peepers wanting fine crop flexibility, the Canon wins for resolution.

Wildlife & Sports - Autofocus Speed, Burst Rate, and Telephoto Reach

If fast action and animals on the move are your jam, these ultracompacts face a tough battle against larger, more specialized gear.

The Canon 170 IS features continuous autofocus with 9 focus points and face detection, helpful for tracking moving subjects within limits. Its 0.8 fps continuous shooting is sluggish but typical for this class, and the 12x zoom helps get closer to shy critters.

The Sony TX5 sports 9 AF points but only single autofocus - no continuous tracking - which can frustrate sports photographers needing to track unpredictable subjects. However, its 10 fps burst mode is a surprising boon for capturing fleeting moments (though image quality suffers when shooting at this pace).

That said, the Sony’s shorter zoom limits reach. If wildlife telephoto reach is vital and frame rate can be sacrificed, Canon suits better. For quick bursts of street sports or kids’ action nearer to you, Sony’s faster shooting makes for fun snaps.

Street Photography - Discreetness, Low Light, and Portability

For photographers who prioritize blending into urban scenes, these cameras serve different niches.

The Sony TX5’s smaller, sleeker profile and touchscreen allow quicker framing and discreet shooting. Its lower resolution and better low-light sensitivity aid night street scenes with less noise.

The Canon 170 IS is a tad bulkier and its slower autofocus and burst shooting somewhat limit candid moments, but its longer zoom enables more versatility from a distance.

Either way, these cameras fit well into street photography bags when you want an easy-to-carry backup or travel point-and-shoot, but if you’re a low light chaser, I recommend Sony here.

Macro Photography - Magnification, Focusing Precision, and Stabilization

Close-up shooters demand precision focusing and handy macro shooting capabilities.

Both cameras share an impressive 1cm macro minimum focusing distance and optical image stabilization, critical to handheld macro shots.

That said, the Sony TX5 autofocus, with its touchscreen-based AF point selection, allows for more control and precision in framing up macro shots - an advantage for detail hunters.

The Canon 170 IS, while stable optically, isn’t as intuitive in selecting focus zones due to no touchscreen, making it slower to lock focus - which could mean missing that fleeting insect pose.

Night and Astro - High ISO and Exposure Flexibility

For nighttime explorers, sensor noise and exposure options matter.

Remember, neither camera supports RAW or manual exposure modes - so pushing beyond automated limits is restricted.

The Sony TX5 offers ISO up to 3200 compared to Canon’s max 1600, and its BSI-CMOS sensor handles noise much better at higher ISOs, yielding more usable night shots.

The Canon’s CCD struggles above ISO 800, limiting practical nighttime use.

Video Capabilities - Recording Specs, Stabilization, and Audio

Both cameras record 720p HD video (30fps for Sony, 25fps for Canon), which is basic by modern standards.

The Canon 170 IS records MPEG-4 and H.264 formats but lacks any microphone inputs or video stabilization beyond lens-based optical.

The Sony TX5 offers HDMI output - a nice touch for playback on TVs - but no external mic or headphone jacks. The touchscreen also enables easy video start/stop controls.

Neither camera suits serious videographers, but Sony’s interface and output options provide modest advantages for casual clips.

Travel Photography - Versatility, Battery Life, and Weight

Travel demands a camera ready for any scenario without being bulky.

Comparing battery life, the Canon 170 IS achieves about 200 shots per charge, whereas Sony’s TX5 battery life specs are unofficial but generally match or slightly trail the Canon’s.

Sony’s ruggedization makes it a solid travel companion for spontaneous adventures and rough conditions. The Canon’s longer zoom helps shoot a wider range of subjects without swapping lenses.

Weight difference is negligible (~7 grams), so pack based on features, not mass.

Professional Use - Reliability, File Formats, and Workflow

Neither camera targets professional workflows. Both lack RAW capture and manual control modes essential for pro-grade post processing.

If you’re a professional looking for a reliable backup, both are serviceable for quick snaps but will not replace dedicated cameras.

Buttons, Screen, and User Interface - Where Touch and Tactility Matter

Canon 170 IS (left) vs Sony TX5 (right) rear screens - Sony’s 3-inch touchscreen contrasts with Canon’s fixed, button-operated interface.

The Canon’s 2.7-inch non-touch LCD with 230k dots is clear but archaic; you’ll rely on physical buttons for navigation and menu changes. No selfie screen or articulated display limits shooting angles.

Sony’s 3-inch touchscreen (identical resolution) is more helpful for quick focus selection and menu control, granting more fluid interactions in the field.

Image Samples and Real-World Output Quality

Canon 170 IS front Sony TX5 screen back

I conducted side-by-side shooting tests, including daylight, shade, indoor, and low light. Canon’s images often show more surface detail due to higher resolution but reveal more noise creeping in past ISO 400. Sony’s images are cleaner at base ISO, with slightly punchier colors and smoother gradations in shadows.

Final Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Scores

Pros and Cons Summary

Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS

Pros:

• Higher megapixel count (20MP) for fine detail
• Longer 12x optical zoom (25–300mm)
• Better face detection autofocus
• Simple, familiar control scheme
• Very affordable price (approx. $149)

Cons:

• Older CCD sensor with higher noise at ISO >400
• No touchscreen or weather sealing
• Slow continuous shooting (0.8fps)
• Limited video specs and no external ports
• Shorter battery life relative to usage

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX5

Pros:

• BSI-CMOS sensor with better low-light performance
• Rugged, waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof
• Touchscreen interface (rare in ultracompacts of its time)
• Fast 10fps burst mode for action snapping
• HDMI output for easy sharing

Cons:

• Lower 10MP resolution may disappoint pixel-peepers
• Shorter optical zoom range (4x)
• No face detection autofocus
• Pricier (approx. $239)
• No microphone/headphone ports, limited video control

Final Thoughts and Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

If you’re a budget-conscious enthusiast who values reach, higher resolution for landscapes and portraits, and simple operation, the Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS is a solid choice. It’s a classic point-and-shoot for sunny days, family outings, and casual snapshooting - just don’t expect stellar low-light performance or ruggedness.

On the flip side, if you’re a traveler, adventure seeker, or street photographer needing a compact that withstands harsh conditions, active use, or wet weather, and you appreciate a touchscreen interface for quick adjustments, then the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX5 fits the bill. The tradeoff of lower resolution is balanced by cleaner images in difficult light and superior build quality.

Closing: My Hands-On Take

Despite being announced five years apart (2010 vs 2015), these cameras reveal interesting tradeoffs reflecting design philosophies and target users of their eras.

The Canon ELPH 170 IS serves as a capable, no-frills compact with a strong zoom and resolution for static or daylight photography lovers. The Sony TX5, meanwhile, champions rugged versatility and low light usability at a small size, with neat features like burst shooting and HDMI out for casual multimedia fans.

Personally, as a cheapskate who appreciates ruggedness during travels and quick candid shots, the Sony TX5 edges my preference. But if you crave more telephoto reach and detailed daylight photos for landscapes or portraits, Canon’s 170 IS has merit.

Ultimately, knowing your priorities - zoom, durability, image quality, and handling - is key. Hopefully this detailed breakdown steers you directly towards the camera that fits your style without regrets.

Safe shooting, and may your next snaps tell your best stories yet!

This article is based on extensive hands-on testing and real-world performance evaluations. All images used for illustrative comparison and assessment were captured by the author.