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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A3000

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Sony Alpha A3000 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A3000 Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
  • Launched August 2013
  • Older Model is Canon SX160 IS
Sony A3000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Revealed August 2013
  • Refreshed by Sony a3500
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A3000 Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A3000, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the A3000 (20MP) is relatively comparable but the SX170 IS (1/2.3") and A3000 (APS-C) have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SX170 IS was unveiled around the same time to the A3000 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Sony A3000 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the SX170 IS grades versus the A3000 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Sony A3000

 SX170 IS A3000 

Reasons to pick Sony A3000 over the Canon SX170 IS

 A3000 SX170 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Sony A3000

 SX170 IS A3000 
RevealedAugust 2013August 2013Same generation
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A3000 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Canon SX170 IS offers outside dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Sony A3000 has specifications of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A3000 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the SX170 IS and the A3000.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A3000 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX170 IS and A3000 is 88 and 69 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A3000 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A3000 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to envision the contrast in sensor measurements just by checking out technical specs. The graphic below might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and A3000.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SX170 IS with its smaller sensor will make getting bokeh more difficult and the Sony A3000 will produce more detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A3000 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A3000 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography details
Sony A3000 Portrait photography details
44
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
77
focusing manually
good resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX170 IS
Street photography with Sony A3000
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (251g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
57
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
heavier than others in class (411g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX170 IS
Sports photography with Sony A3000
48
great zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
low fps (1.0 fps)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
60
good resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
good battery pack (470 per charge)
slow frames per second (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography factors
Sony A3000 Travel photography factors
68
lighter than competition (251g)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
very long reach (448mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
60
good battery pack (470 shots)
good resolution (20MP)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (411 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography factors
Sony A3000 Landscape photography factors
49
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
70
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (470 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony A3000 as a Vlogging camera
31
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
lighter than competition (251 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone support
26
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no external mic port
heavier than others in class (411g)
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A3000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Sony A3000
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISSony Alpha A3000
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Sony Alpha A3000
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2013-08-22 2013-08-27
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 BIONZ image
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 5456 x 3632
Maximum native ISO 1600 16000
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 25
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/3200s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, H.264, MP4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 251 grams (0.55 lb) 411 grams (0.91 lb)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 1068
Other
Battery life 300 photos 470 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $0 $398