Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX20V
88 Imaging
40 Features
41 Overall
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90 Imaging
42 Features
50 Overall
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX20V Key Specs
(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
- Announced August 2013
- Superseded the Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
- 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
- Launched July 2012
- Old Model is Sony HX10V
- Refreshed by Sony HX30V

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX20V Overview
Following is a in depth review of the Canon SX170 IS and Sony HX20V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the HX20V (18MP) is fairly similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SX170 IS was brought out 14 months after the HX20V making them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SX170 IS matches up against the HX20V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX20V Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V. The entire galleries are provided at Canon SX170 IS Gallery and Sony HX20V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Sony HX20V
SX170 IS | HX20V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2013 | ![]() | July 2012 | More modern by 14 months |
Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Canon SX170 IS
HX20V | SX170 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Sony HX20V
SX170 IS | HX20V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither has Touch display |
Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX170 IS has external 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 HX20V has dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).
Check the Canon SX170 IS and Sony HX20V in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the SX170 IS against the HX20V.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and HX20V is 88 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison
Typically, its hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reviewing technical specs. The image underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX170 IS and HX20V.
As you have seen, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Sony HX20V to offer more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The newer SX170 IS will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX20V Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2013-08-22 | 2012-07-20 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
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 | 16 megapixels | 18 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4896 x 3672 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 25-500mm (20.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.2-5.8 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 7.10 m |
Flash options | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 251 gr (0.55 lb) | 254 gr (0.56 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | 300 photographs | 320 photographs |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-6LH | NP-BG1 |
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/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $0 | $397 |