Canon ELPH 180 vs Sony W550
96 Imaging
46 Features
24 Overall
37


96 Imaging
37 Features
28 Overall
33
Canon ELPH 180 vs Sony W550 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-224mm (F3.2-6.9) lens
- 126g - 95 x 54 x 22mm
- Introduced January 2016
(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
- Launched July 2011

Canon ELPH 180 vs Sony W550 Overview
In this write-up, we are reviewing the Canon ELPH 180 and Sony W550, both Ultracompact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the ELPH 180 (20MP) and W550 (14MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The ELPH 180 was manufactured 4 years later than the W550 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).
Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the ELPH 180 scores versus the W550 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon ELPH 180 vs Sony W550 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550. The entire galleries are available at Canon ELPH 180 Gallery & Sony W550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 180 over the Sony W550
ELPH 180 | W550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2016 | ![]() | July 2011 | Fresher by 55 months |
Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Canon ELPH 180
W550 | ELPH 180 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Common features in the Canon ELPH 180 and Sony W550
ELPH 180 | W550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Canon ELPH 180 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Canon ELPH 180 has outer measurements of 95mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Sony W550 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).
Examine the Canon ELPH 180 and Sony W550 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the ELPH 180 vs the W550.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the ELPH 180 and W550 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Canon ELPH 180 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be hard to envision the gap between sensor sizing just by reading a spec sheet. The graphic here will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the ELPH 180 and W550.
Clearly, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Canon ELPH 180 to offer you extra detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The fresher ELPH 180 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Canon ELPH 180 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 180 vs Sony W550 Specifications
Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 |
Type | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Introduced | 2016-01-05 | 2011-07-24 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor 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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5152 x 3864 | 4320 x 3240 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-224mm (8.0x) | 26-104mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.2-6.9 | f/2.7-5.7 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.7" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | - | Clear Photo LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 2 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 0.8fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m (at Auto ISO) | 3.80 m |
Flash modes | Auto, on, slow synchro, off | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
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 (30p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 126g (0.28 pounds) | 110g (0.24 pounds) |
Dimensions | 95 x 54 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") | 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 220 pictures | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-11LH | NP-BN1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, 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 |
Storage slots | 1 | - |
Retail pricing | $119 | $119 |