Canon 170 IS vs Sony W510
95 Imaging
45 Features
29 Overall
38


96 Imaging
35 Features
17 Overall
27
Canon 170 IS vs Sony W510 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
- Released January 2015
- Alternate Name is IXUS 170
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 26-104mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 119g - 96 x 54 x 20mm
- Revealed January 2011

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W510 Overview
On this page, we are reviewing the Canon 170 IS vs Sony W510, both Ultracompact cameras by companies Canon and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the 170 IS (20MP) and W510 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The 170 IS was launched 4 years after the W510 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).
Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the 170 IS grades versus the W510 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W510 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510. The complete galleries are provided at Canon 170 IS Gallery & Sony W510 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Sony W510
170 IS | W510 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2015 | ![]() | January 2011 | Newer by 49 months |
Reasons to pick Sony W510 over the Canon 170 IS
W510 | 170 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon 170 IS and Sony W510
170 IS | W510 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Equal display sizing |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Missing Touch display |
Canon 170 IS vs Sony W510 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon 170 IS has external measurements of 100mm x 58mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Sony W510 has measurements of 96mm x 54mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8") along with a weight of 119 grams (0.26 lbs).
Check out the Canon 170 IS vs Sony W510 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the 170 IS against the W510.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the 170 IS and W510 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W510 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its hard to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by looking through specifications. The image below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the 170 IS and W510.
To sum up, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Canon 170 IS to result in extra detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The newer 170 IS should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W510 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W510 Specifications
Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Sony |
Model | Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510 |
Also referred to as | IXUS 170 | - |
Class | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Released | 2015-01-06 | 2011-01-06 |
Physical type | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | 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 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5152 x 3864 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-300mm (12.0x) | 26-104mm (4.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.6-7.0 | f/2.8-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 4cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.7 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | - | Clear Photo LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 2 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 0.8 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 4.00 m | 2.30 m |
Flash modes | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 grams (0.31 lbs) | 119 grams (0.26 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 100 x 58 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") | 96 x 54 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" 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 shots | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-11L/LH | NP-BN1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $149 | $99 |