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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S2100

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S2100 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 S2100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-105mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 61 x 27mm
  • Released January 2010
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S2100 Overview

Here is a in depth overview of the Canon SX170 IS and Sony S2100, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and S2100 (12MP) but they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was brought out 3 years later than the S2100 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SX170 IS grades versus the S2100 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Sony S2100

 SX170 IS S2100 
ReleasedAugust 2013January 2010Fresher by 45 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing

Reasons to pick Sony S2100 over the Canon SX170 IS

 S2100 SX170 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Sony S2100

 SX170 IS S2100 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S2100 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SX170 IS enjoys outside measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony S2100 has measurements of 98mm x 61mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX170 IS and Sony S2100 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the SX170 IS against the S2100.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S2100 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and S2100 is 88 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S2100 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S2100 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to see the gap between sensor sizing just by reading through a spec sheet. The visual below may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX170 IS and S2100.

As you can see, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Canon SX170 IS to give greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs much more aggressively. The newer SX170 IS will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S2100 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S2100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S2100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography details
Sony S2100 Portrait photography details
44
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
has face detection focusing
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX170 IS
Street photography with Sony S2100
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (251g)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
46
no moving screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography factors
Sony S2100 Sports photography factors
48
excellent zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
17
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,200s)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography features
Sony S2100 Travel photography features
68
lighter than others in class (251g)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
great reach (448mm)
no Timelapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
50
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography features
Sony S2100 Landscape photography features
49
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Timelapse recording
27
good sized screen (3 inches)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging details
Sony S2100 Vlogging details
31
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than others in class (251g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone socket
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external microphone port
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S2100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Sony S2100
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-08-22 2010-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 33-105mm (3.2x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 1s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1200s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 98 x 61 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6LH 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, optional SD, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $0 $0