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Canon 170 IS vs Sony W560

Portability
95
Imaging
45
Features
29
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W560 Key Specs

Canon 170 IS
(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
  • Additionally referred to as IXUS 170
Sony W560
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2011
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Canon 170 IS vs Sony W560 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Canon 170 IS vs Sony W560, both Ultracompact digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the 170 IS (20MP) and W560 (14MP) but they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The 170 IS was unveiled 4 years later than the W560 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short summary of how the 170 IS grades vs the W560 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Sony W560

 170 IS W560 
RevealedJanuary 2015January 2011More recent by 49 months

Reasons to pick Sony W560 over the Canon 170 IS

 W560 170 IS 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Canon 170 IS and Sony W560

 170 IS W560 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W560 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and size. The Canon 170 IS features physical dimensions of 100mm x 58mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Sony W560 has specifications of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Compare the Canon 170 IS vs Sony W560 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the 170 IS versus the W560.

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W560 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the 170 IS and W560 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W560 top view buttons comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W560 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to envision the gap between sensor measurements just by reading specifications. The visual underneath will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the 170 IS and W560.

Plainly, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Canon 170 IS to offer more detail having an extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The newer 170 IS will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W560 sensor size comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W560 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 170 IS vs Sony W560 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 170 IS Portrait photography factors
Sony W560 Portrait photography factors
38
MP count decent (20MP)
comes with face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
28
good resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon 170 IS
Street photography with Sony W560
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon 170 IS
Sports photography with Sony W560
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow fps (0.8 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon 170 IS
Travel photography with Sony W560
69
MP count decent (20MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.6)
65
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 170 IS Landscape photography features
Sony W560 Landscape photography features
41
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.6)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
42
decently wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 170 IS Vlogging advice
Sony W560 Vlogging advice
32
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.6)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
29
decently wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone socket
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Canon 170 IS vs Sony W560 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 170 IS and Sony W560
 Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W560
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560
Also called as IXUS 170 -
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 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 measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5152 x 3864 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
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)
Max aperture f/3.6-7.0 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 0.8 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 3.80 m
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 141 grams (0.31 lb) 110 grams (0.24 lb)
Dimensions 100 x 58 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 -
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
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $149 $139