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Canon 170 IS vs Sony W380

Portability
95
Imaging
45
Features
29
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380 front
Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W380 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
  • Launched January 2015
  • Additionally referred to as IXUS 170
Sony W380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 117g - 91 x 52 x 20mm
  • Revealed January 2010
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Canon 170 IS vs Sony W380 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Canon 170 IS vs Sony W380, both Ultracompact cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the 170 IS (20MP) and W380 (14MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The 170 IS was released 5 years after the W380 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the 170 IS scores against the W380 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Sony W380

 170 IS W380 
RevealedJanuary 2015January 2010More modern by 61 months

Reasons to pick Sony W380 over the Canon 170 IS

 W380 170 IS 

Common features in the Canon 170 IS and Sony W380

 170 IS W380 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W380 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and size. The Canon 170 IS provides outer dimensions of 100mm x 58mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Sony W380 has specifications of 91mm x 52mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Look at the Canon 170 IS vs Sony W380 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the 170 IS and the W380.

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W380 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the 170 IS and W380 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W380 top view buttons comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W380 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizes merely by seeing a spec sheet. The picture here may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the 170 IS and W380.

As you can see, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Canon 170 IS to produce greater detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots more aggressively. The more recent 170 IS provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W380 sensor size comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W380 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 170 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W380 as a Portrait photography camera
38
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
comes with face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
28
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon 170 IS Street photography factors
Sony W380 Street photography factors
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon 170 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony W380 as a Sports photography camera
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow fps (0.8 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
34
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon 170 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony W380 as a Travel photography camera
69
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.6)
65
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 170 IS Landscape photography details
Sony W380 Landscape photography details
41
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.6)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
37
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon 170 IS
Vlogging with Sony W380
32
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
slow maximum aperture (f3.6)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
29
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic support
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Canon 170 IS vs Sony W380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 170 IS and Sony W380
 Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W380
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380
Also Known as IXUS 170 -
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2015-01-06 2010-01-07
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4+ Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5152 x 3864 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.6-7.0 f/2.4-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 0.8 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m 4.80 m
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 141 gr (0.31 lb) 117 gr (0.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 58 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") 91 x 52 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8")
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 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-11L/LH NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 sec or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro HG-Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $149 $44