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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A7S III

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Sony Alpha A7S III front
Portability
61
Imaging
64
Features
92
Overall
75

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A7S III 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
  • Released August 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX160 IS
Sony A7S III
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Boost to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 699g - 129 x 97 x 81mm
  • Released July 2020
  • Older Model is Sony A7S II
Photography Glossary

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A7S III Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Canon SX170 IS and Sony A7S III, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Canon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and A7S III (12MP) and the SX170 IS (1/2.3") and A7S III (Full frame) provide different sensor dimensions.

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The SX170 IS was brought out 8 years before the A7S III and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Sony A7S III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SX170 IS matches up versus the A7S III with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Sony A7S III

 SX170 IS A7S III 

Reasons to pick Sony A7S III over the Canon SX170 IS

 A7S III SX170 IS 
ReleasedJuly 2020August 2013Fresher by 84 months
Screen typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1440k230kCrisper screen (+1210k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Sony A7S III

 SX170 IS A7S III 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A7S III Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SX170 IS has got outer dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony A7S III has measurements of 129mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 699 grams (1.54 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX170 IS and Sony A7S III in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the SX170 IS compared to the A7S III.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A7S III size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and A7S III is 88 and 61 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A7S III top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A7S III Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing merely by checking specifications. The visual underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX170 IS and A7S III.

Plainly, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SX170 IS featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Canon SX170 IS will give you extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The older SX170 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A7S III sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A7S III Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A7S III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A7S III as a Portrait photography camera
44
manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
features face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
70
manual focus
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography info
Sony A7S III Street photography info
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (251g)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
76
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
has touch focus
environment proof
above average ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography advice
Sony A7S III Sports photography advice
48
great zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
75
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
better than average battery (600 per charge)
has phase detect auto focus
low resolution (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony A7S III as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competitors in class (251 grams)
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
long zoom (448mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
70
better than average battery (600 CIPA)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
has touch focus
selfie friendly display
low resolution (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography factors
Sony A7S III Landscape photography factors
49
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
77
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average ISO range (102,400)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
better than average battery (600 per charge)
two card slots
low resolution (12MP)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging highlights
Sony A7S III Vlogging highlights
31
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
lighter than competitors in class (251g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic port
77
selfie friendly display
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has microphone socket
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony A7S III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Sony A7S III
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISSony Alpha A7S III
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Sony Alpha A7S III
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Released 2013-08-22 2020-07-21
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Bionz XR
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4240 x 2832
Max native ISO 1600 102400
Max boosted ISO - 409600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 759
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully articulated
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.91x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-1, H.264, H.265
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 251g (0.55 lb) 699g (1.54 lb)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 129 x 97 x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 85
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 2993
Other
Battery life 300 shots 600 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Card slots One Two
Price at launch $0 $3,499