Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S950
88 Imaging
40 Features
41 Overall
40


94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26
Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S950 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed August 2013
- Succeeded the Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- No Video
- 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
- Launched February 2009

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S950 Overview
Below is a extensive analysis of the Canon SX170 IS versus Sony S950, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Sony. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and S950 (10MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SX170 IS was revealed 4 years later than the S950 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SX170 IS matches up vs the S950 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S950 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950. The full galleries are available at Canon SX170 IS Gallery & Sony S950 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Sony S950
SX170 IS | S950 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2013 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 55 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Canon SX170 IS
S950 | SX170 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Sony S950
SX170 IS | S950 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to lug around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX170 IS has outside dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Sony S950 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SX170 IS versus Sony S950 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX170 IS versus the S950.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX170 IS and S950 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it's hard to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements simply by seeing specs. The graphic below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and S950.
As you can plainly see, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Canon SX170 IS to produce greater detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more modern SX170 IS should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S950 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2013-08-22 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | - |
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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 2 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 3.50 m |
Flash options | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
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 | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | - |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 251 gr (0.55 lb) | 167 gr (0.37 lb) |
Dimensions | 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
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 format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-6LH | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Cost at launch | $0 | $130 |