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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S950

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S950 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
  • Revealed August 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX160 IS
Sony S950
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Sony S950

 SX170 IS S950 
LaunchedAugust 2013February 2009More recent by 55 months
Screen sizing3"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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S950 size comparison

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

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography features
Sony S950 Portrait photography features
44
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
26
focusing manually
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography highlights
Sony S950 Street photography highlights
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (251g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography information
Sony S950 Sports photography information
48
excellent zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
24
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography highlights
Sony S950 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than competitors in class (251g)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
very long zoom (448mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
50
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography details
Sony S950 Landscape photography details
49
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
31
focusing manually
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX170 IS
Vlogging with Sony S950
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (251 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
9
no video
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Sony S950
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISSony 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