Clicky

Canon G16 vs Sony W550

Portability
85
Imaging
38
Features
62
Overall
47
Canon PowerShot G16 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Canon G16 vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Canon G16
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 356g - 109 x 76 x 40mm
  • Launched November 2013
  • Previous Model is Canon G15
Sony W550
(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
  • Released July 2011
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Canon G16 vs Sony W550 Overview

Lets look much closer at the Canon G16 and Sony W550, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Ultracompact by rivals Canon and Sony. The resolution of the G16 (12MP) and the W550 (14MP) is fairly comparable but the G16 (1/1.7") and W550 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor sizing.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The G16 was launched 2 years after the W550 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon G16 being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a simple view of how the G16 grades against the W550 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon G16 over the Sony W550

 G16 W550 
ReleasedNovember 2013July 2011Newer by 29 months
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display resolution922k230kClearer display (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Canon G16

 W550 G16 

Common features in the Canon G16 and Sony W550

 G16 W550 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Canon G16 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and size. The Canon G16 offers external dimensions of 109mm x 76mm x 40mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 1.6") and a weight of 356 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Sony W550 has specifications of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Check the Canon G16 and Sony W550 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the G16 compared to the W550.

Canon G16 vs Sony W550 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the G16 and W550 is 85 and 96 respectively.

Canon G16 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Canon G16 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions just by checking out a spec sheet. The pic underneath should offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the G16 and W550.

As you can see, each of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The G16 due to its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Sony W550 will show greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The more modern G16 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon G16 vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Canon G16 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G16 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G16 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W550 as a Portrait photography camera
49
focusing manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
has face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
28
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Canon G16 Street photography info
Sony W550 Street photography info
58
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/1.7")
heavier than others in class (356g)
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Canon G16 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W550 as a Sports photography camera
44
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (360 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect AF
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Canon G16 Travel photography highlights
Sony W550 Travel photography highlights
64
better than average battery power (360 per charge)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
heavier than others in class (356 grams)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
65
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon G16
Landscape photography with Sony W550
58
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (360 per charge)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
42
rather wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Vlogging Comparison

Canon G16 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W550 as a Vlogging camera
33
relatively wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
missing external mic support
heavier than others in class (356g)
29
rather wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic port
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Canon G16 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G16 and Sony W550
 Canon PowerShot G16Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot G16 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Category Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Launched 2013-11-25 2011-07-24
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 6 BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/1.8-2.8 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 922 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT PureColor II G LCD Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Viewfinder coverage 80% -
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m 3.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 or 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 356g (0.78 lb) 110g (0.24 lb)
Dimensions 109 x 76 x 40mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 1.6") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 230 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-10L NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 -
Launch cost $499 $119