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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX50V

Portability
88 Imaging
40 Features
41 Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V front
Portability
89 Imaging
44 Features
57 Overall
49

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX50V Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Older Model is Canon SX160 IS
Sony HX50V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5 - 6.3) lens
  • 272g - 108 x 64 x 38mm
  • Revealed April 2013
  • Old Model is Sony HX30V
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX50V Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Canon SX170 IS and Sony HX50V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the HX50V (20MP) is relatively comparable and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was introduced 4 months after the HX50V so they are of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SX170 IS grades against the HX50V in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Sony HX50V

					

					

						
 SX170 IS HX50V 
					

				


				

					

						
Reasons to pick Sony HX50V over the Canon SX170 IS

					

					

						
 HX50V SX170 IS 
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)
					

				


				

					

						
Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Sony HX50V

					

					

						
 SX170 IS HX50V 
RevealedAugust 2013April 2013Same age
Manual focus  Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen  No selfie screen
Touch screen  No Touch screen
					

				

				

	
	
	
	

				

					

						
Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX50V Physical Comparison

					

					

						
When you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Canon SX170 IS comes with outer measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Sony HX50V has specifications of 108mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 272 grams (0.60 lbs).
See the Canon SX170 IS and Sony HX50V in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the SX170 IS compared to the HX50V.
Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX50V size comparison
Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SX170 IS and HX50V is 88 and 89 respectively.
Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX50V top view buttons comparison					

				


				

					

						
Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX50V Sensor Comparison

					

					

						
Oftentimes, it's tough to envision the difference in sensor sizes purely by going through specifications. The image here might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SX170 IS and HX50V.
To sum up, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Sony HX50V to show extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively.

						Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX50V sensor size comparison
					

				


				

					

						
Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX50V Screen and ViewFinder

					

					

											

					Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX50V Screen and Viewfinder comparison				


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Photography Type Scores

					

				

				
Portrait Comparison
Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography information
Sony HX50V Portrait photography information
44
 focusing manually
 MP count decent (16 megapixels)
 has face detect focusing
 cannot use external flash
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
50
 has manual focus
 sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
 offers face detection focus
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 no RAW format
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Street Comparison
 Canon SX170 IS as a Street photography camera
 Sony HX50V as a Street photography camera
60
 image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than competition (251g)
 no articulating screen
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
61
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than competitors (272g)
 no moving screen
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 no RAW format
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Sports Comparison
Canon SX170 IS Sports photography info
Sony HX50V Sports photography info
48
 great zoom range (28-448mm  16.0 x zoom)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 MP count decent (16 megapixels)
 has tracking focus
 continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 does not have phase detect AF
57
 amazing zoom range (24-720mm  30.0 x zoom)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
 offers tracking autofocus
 great battery pack (400 CIPA)
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 no phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary
Travel Comparison
 Canon SX170 IS as a Travel photography camera
 Sony HX50V as a Travel photography camera
68
 lighter than competition (251g)
 MP count decent (16 megapixels)
 flash built-in
 pretty wide (28mm)
 very long reach (448mm)
 missing Timelapse function
 does not have selfie friendly screen
 slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
71
 great battery pack (400 per charge)
 lighter than competitors (272 grams)
 sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
 flash built-in
 reasonably wide (24mm)
 long reach (720mm)
 lack of Time Lapse mode
 screen is not selfie friendly
 slow max aperture (f3.5 )
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Landscape Comparison
Landscape photography with Canon SX170 IS
Landscape photography with Sony HX50V
49
 focusing manually
 pretty wide (28mm)
 decent sized screen (3 inches)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 MP count decent (16MP)
 fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
 slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
 missing Timelapse function
53
 has manual focus
 reasonably wide (24mm)
 decent sized screen (3 inches)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
 great battery pack (400 CIPA)
 can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
 slow max aperture (f3.5 )
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 no RAW format
 lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison
 Canon SX170 IS as a Vlogging camera
 Sony HX50V as a Vlogging camera
31
 pretty wide (28mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 has face detect focusing
 lighter than competition (251g)
 slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
 does not have selfie friendly screen
 video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
 missing microphone port
34
 reasonably wide (24mm)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 offers face detection focus
 high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
 lighter than competitors (272 grams)
 slow max aperture (f3.5 )
 screen is not selfie friendly
 lack of external mic socket
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX50V Specifications

					

					

											


					

						Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Sony HX50V
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-08-22 2013-04-24
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 4:3 and  16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 2920
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Touch focus    
Continuous autofocus    
Autofocus single    
Autofocus tracking    
Selective autofocus    
Autofocus center weighted    
Autofocus multi area    
Autofocus live view    
Face detection autofocus    
Contract detection autofocus    
Phase detection autofocus    
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.5 - 6.3
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch function    
Screen technology TFT Color LCD XtraFine LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash distance 3.00 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Advanced Flash
Hot shoe    
Auto exposure bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Exposure
Multisegment exposure    
Average exposure    
Spot exposure    
Partial exposure    
AF area exposure    
Center weighted exposure    
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port    
Headphone port    
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
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 251g (0.55 lb) 272g (0.60 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 108 x 64 x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
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 300 photos 400 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature    
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $0 $439