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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX90V

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
63
Overall
51

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX90V 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
  • Announced August 2013
  • Older Model is Canon SX160 IS
Sony HX90V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Launched April 2015
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX90V Overview

Here is a detailed comparison of the Canon SX170 IS versus Sony HX90V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the HX90V (18MP) is relatively close and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX170 IS was manufactured 20 months before the HX90V which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a short summary of how the SX170 IS grades vs the HX90V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Sony HX90V

 SX170 IS HX90V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX90V over the Canon SX170 IS

 HX90V SX170 IS 
LaunchedApril 2015August 2013Fresher by 20 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Sony HX90V

 SX170 IS HX90V 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX90V Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX170 IS provides exterior dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony HX90V has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX170 IS versus Sony HX90V in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the SX170 IS and the HX90V.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX90V size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and HX90V is 88 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX90V top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX90V Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizing only by looking through technical specs. The graphic here may offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and HX90V.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Sony HX90V to result in greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The older SX170 IS will be behind in sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX90V sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX90V Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX90V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX90V as a Portrait photography camera
44
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
45
manual focus
decent megapixels (18MP)
offers face detect focus
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography details
Sony HX90V Street photography details
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (251 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
69
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245g)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography factors
Sony HX90V Sports photography factors
48
amazing zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
57
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
offers tracking focus
good battery (360 per charge)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX170 IS
Travel photography with Sony HX90V
68
lighter than others (251g)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
great zoom (448mm)
no Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
76
good battery (360 per charge)
lighter than competition (245g)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
no Timelapse mode
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX170 IS
Landscape photography with Sony HX90V
49
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
53
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
good battery (360 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX170 IS
Vlogging with Sony HX90V
31
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
lighter than others (251g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic port
75
reasonably wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no microphone port
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony HX90V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Sony HX90V
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-08-22 2015-04-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Bionz X
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 16MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 638 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.5x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB 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 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 251 grams (0.55 pounds) 245 grams (0.54 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" 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 shots 360 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $0 $440