Canon SX170 IS vs Sony TX55

Compact Contenders: Canon SX170 IS vs Sony TX55 – A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts

Throughout my 15 years testing hundreds of cameras, few debates intrigue me more than comparing compact models targeting casual users yet promising surprising versatility. Today, I put two such models head-to-head: Canon’s SX170 IS, a sturdy small-sensor superzoom released in 2013, versus Sony’s TX55, a sleek ultracompact announced two years earlier. Both promise portability and convenience, but which one wins in practical photography scenarios, image quality, and user experience? Grab a coffee and let’s dive into this detailed comparison, where I’ll draw on personal testing expertise and technical analysis to guide you toward the right choice.

First Impressions & Ergonomics: Size and Handling Matter

Let’s start with the basics - handling and design - which often make or break how you feel shooting all day. The Canon SX170 IS feels solidly compact but noticeably chunkier, measuring 108x71x44mm and weighing 251g. This size accommodates a generous handgrip, making it comfortable for extended shooting. In contrast, the Sony TX55 is a featherweight at only 109g, squeezing into an ultra-slim body of 93x54x13mm. It slips easily into a pocket, ideal for everyday carry when you want minimal bulk.

Ergonomically, Canon’s more substantial body translates to better control layout - physical buttons and a mode dial are more accessible during shooting. Sony’s ultra-compact design is sleek but sacrifices some tactile feedback due to smaller buttons and reliance on touchscreen controls. The TX55’s OLED touchscreen is crisp and sensitive (more on that momentarily), but if you prefer physical dials and dedicated controls, Canon’s SX170 IS will feel closer to a traditional camera.

Looking from above, the SX170 IS features a well-spaced layout of shutter release, zoom toggle, and mode dial, fostering intuitive one-handed operation.

The Sony TX55, meanwhile, is minimalist, placing most controls into menus and the touchscreen, which can slow you down if you’re used to tactile feedback or photography “on the fly.”

Sensor & Image Quality: Digic 4 CCD vs BSI-CMOS BIONZ

Next, let’s dig into the sensor technology, arguably the heart of image quality. Both cameras sport a 1/2.3-inch sensor measuring 6.17x4.55mm, a small format typical for compacts, but their sensor types differ sharply.

Canon uses a CCD sensor paired with its older Digic 4 processor. CCDs, while historically known for good color rendition, tend to struggle for low-light performance and higher ISO noise. The SX170 maxes out ISO 1600 with no extended modes.

Sony opts for a more modern BSI-CMOS sensor with their BIONZ image processor, supporting ISO up to 3200 natively. Backside illumination (BSI) improves light gathering efficiency, enhancing performance in challenging light.

Technical specs alone suggest Sony should deliver cleaner images at higher ISO and better dynamic range. To test this, I put both cameras through my standardized resolution charts and real-world scenes, paying special attention to tonal gradation and noise management.

The results? Canon’s images retain decent detail at base ISO 100–200 in good light but exhibit pronounced noise and reduced sharpness at ISO 800 and above. Sony’s TX55 holds detail better and manages shadows with more nuance, thanks to BSI-CMOS advantages and its slightly faster lens aperture at the wide end (F3.5 vs Canon’s F3.5 but with better control over midrange ISO).

Color depth favors Sony too, with a richer palette and more natural rendering of skin tones under mixed light - an important factor for portraits. However, keep in mind neither is raw-capable, limiting post-processing flexibility.

Display and Interface: OLED Touchscreen vs Conventional LCD

User interface directly impacts shooting enjoyment, so let’s discuss their displays.

Canon’s SX170 has a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with 230k-dot resolution - functional, but quite low-res by today’s standards. The screen is bright enough for daylight framing but can feel dull and less crisp when reviewing images.

Sony’s TX55 sports a 3.3-inch XtraFine OLED touchscreen with 1230k-dot resolution, an instantly noticeable upgrade in color vibrancy and sharpness. The touchscreen adds intuitive tap-to-focus and easier navigation through settings, a boon for casual shooters or anyone moving fast.

Personally, I appreciate the OLED’s vibrant colors for image playback, helping judge exposure and focus accuracy in the moment. However, the lack of physical buttons on the Sony demands reliance on touchscreen menus, which can feel fiddly in bright sun or with gloves. Canon’s more traditional button layout, while less flashy, ensures direct access to key functions like exposure compensation and shooting modes.

Zoom Range and Optics: Superzoom Versus Moderate Versatility

One area where Canon’s SX170 IS pulls ahead is its 28-448mm equivalent zoom - that’s a 16x optical zoom range, impressive for this class. It covers everything from wide landscapes to distant wildlife with a single lens, appealing to travelers who want “all in one” convenience without swapping lenses.

Sony’s TX55 offers a shorter zoom range of 26-130mm equivalent (5x zoom), focusing on standard wide to moderate telephoto coverage. The lens aperture ranges from F3.5 wide to F4.8 tele. While less versatile focal length-wise, the shorter zoom barrel helps Sony keep its slim profile.

If you prioritize close-up details from distance - say for casual wildlife or sports - Canon’s longer zoom range is a big plus. But if you mostly shoot street scenes, portraits, or landscapes, Sony’s zoom shouldn’t hold you back.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Precision vs Speed

For photography enthusiasts, autofocus performance can make or break a camera’s usefulness, especially in dynamic settings like sports or wildlife.

Canon’s SX170 IS employs contrast detection AF with face detection. Its speed is adequate for static subjects but slow when tracking moving ones. It supports single AF and continuous AF modes but lacks modern features like eye detection or animal AF.

Sony’s TX55 features a 9-point contrast-detection AF system, though without face detection. Interestingly, it supports burst shooting up to 10fps at full resolution, a rarity for compacts in this era, enabling you to capture fleeting moments better.

In real-world testing, Sony’s autofocus locks faster in good light but can struggle in low contrast or dim conditions. Canon’s AF, while slower, is more consistent at locking on faces thanks to its dedicated detection.

For sports or wildlife enthusiasts, neither camera compares to today’s mirrorless or DSLR autofocus prowess, but Sony delivers a more responsive experience thanks to higher continuous shooting rates.

Photography Genres: Which Camera Excels Where?

I always find it helpful to break down how cameras perform across genres, since usability can vary widely.

Portraits: Skin Tones & Bokeh

Neither camera provides a wide aperture to generate creamy bokeh, but Canon’s longer zoom helps isolate subjects better by shooting telephoto headshots. Sony’s colors appear more natural but less punchy. Canon’s modest face detection assists framing, but limited resolution LCD hampers precise focus confirmation.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range & Resolution

Both shoot 16MP stills with similar resolution, but Sony’s superior dynamic range (thanks to BSI-CMOS) delivers richer shadow detail and less highlight clipping - valuable for wide vistas and sunsets.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus & Burst Rate

Canon’s enormous zoom is great for reach, but the slow 1fps burst rate and sluggish AF reduce chances to capture decisive moments.

Sony’s 10fps burst combined with faster AF provides a better chance to track moving subjects, but shorter zoom means you’ll be physically closer.

Street Photography: Discretion & Portability

Sony’s thin, lightweight body and silent operation make it ideal for candid street shots, especially in low light where BSI-CMOS sensor aids exposure.

Canon’s bulkier form factor and slower AF work against street photography agility.

Macro: Magnification & Focusing

Canon’s minimum macro distance of 1cm gives it a clear edge for close-up photography over Sony’s 3cm minimum, allowing more detailed insect or flower shots.

Night and Astro: High ISO & Exposure Control

Sony’s extended ISO range and cleaner noise performance help night shots, but neither camera offers specialized astro modes. Canon’s longer shutter speed limit (up to 15 seconds) provides longer exposures for star trails, albeit with visible noise.

Video Capabilities: From HD to Full HD

Sony takes a clear lead here - it records Full HD 1080p at 60fps, offering smoother and more detailed video footage suitable for casual filmmaking.

Canon lags behind with max 720p HD video at 30fps, limiting sharpness and slow-motion possibilities.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone jacks for pro audio, but Sony’s HDMI output enables easier connection to external recorders - a plus for hybrid shooters prioritizing video.

Battery Life and Storage: What Lasts Longer?

Canon’s NB-6LH battery rated for 300 shots is respectable, while Sony’s NP-BN battery quotes 250 shots. In practice, Canon’s bulkier body probably carries more spare batteries conveniently.

Storage-wise, Canon accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with standard sizes; Sony prefers microSD/SDHC and proprietary Memory Stick Micro. SD cards are generally easier and more versatile to source.

Neither supports in-camera charging via USB, so you’ll need dedicated chargers.

Connectivity and Extras: The Fine Details

Both support Eye-Fi card wireless connectivity but lack NFC, Bluetooth, or GPS. Canon misses an HDMI output, while Sony includes one - enhancing media transfer and playback.

Neither offers weather sealing or ruggedized bodies, limiting outdoor harsh environment use.

Value Assessment: Price vs Performance

The Sony TX55 originally launched around $350, while Canon’s SX170 IS was more of a budget compact, often found cheaper secondhand.

Sony’s higher price tags are justified by better video specs, superior sensor technology, and advanced burst shooting, but the TX55’s ultracompact design sacrifices zoom range and physical controls.

Canon’s SX170, on the other hand, appeals to those prioritizing extensive zoom reach, traditional operation, and longer battery life at a lower price point.

Hands-On Summary and Expert Recommendations

Looking back over the practical shooting experience and technical attributes, here’s my takeaway for different user profiles:

• Travel and Everyday Use: Sony’s lightweight, pocket-friendly TX55 with its excellent screen, solid image quality, and smooth video is my pick. You’ll appreciate discretion and ease without lugging a larger camera.

• Wildlife and Sports Amateurs: Canon’s SX170 IS offers the zoom lens advantage, reaching distant subjects easily, though limited by slower autofocus and lower burst rates. For casual shooting, it’s still viable.

• Portrait and Macro Enthusiasts: Canon edges out here due to close focusing distances and more versatile zoom - though Sony’s color rendering brightens portraits.

• Video Hobbyists: Sony’s 1080p 60fps recording gives it a noticeable edge for those who want decent HD video alongside stills.

• Budget-Conscious Buyers: Canon is easier to find at bargain prices and offers solid optical zoom versatility if you prefer stills over video.

Putting it All Together: The Verdict in Pictures

To truly appreciate how each camera’s image output shines, here’s a gallery comparison from controlled and real-world shoots.

Canon SX170 IS front Canon SX170 IS screen back Sony TX55 front Sony TX55 screen back

Note the differences in color tonality, detail, and noise in the crops - Sony often delivers cleaner files, especially in low light. Canon’s images see slightly more contrast but can lose shadow detail.

Performance scores across categories highlight Sony’s superior sensor and video capabilities, while Canon scores well in zoom flexibility.

A genre-specific breakdown further reinforces that Sony dominates video and street photography, whereas Canon leads in zoom-dependent disciplines.

Final Thoughts: What I Reach for Personally

Having owned and shot extensively with both cameras, I find myself reaching for Sony's TX55 when I want maximum portability coupled with better video and image quality in moderate zoom ranges. It's a friendly, nimble companion for daily life and travel.

That said, if my goal is to get closer to distant wildlife or subjects without carrying interchangeable lenses, Canon's SX170 IS remains an affordable goto superzoom - with the understanding that autofocus and speed will demand patience.

Dear Canon, if only you’d paired that monster zoom with a better sensor and touchscreen OLED…

Appendix: Compact Sensor Camera Testing Methodology

In my testing, I use standardized ISO charts, color checker charts, and resolution targets under controlled lighting. I shoot extensive real-world scenarios covering low light, daylight, landscapes, portraits, and motion subjects. Videos are tested for resolution fidelity and frame stability. Battery performance measured with continuous shooting until depletion.

Ergonomics and UI reviewed during sustained outdoor shoots to understand comfort and usability.

Choosing between these two compact cameras is a trade-off between zoom reach and sensor finesse. Hopefully, with this detailed comparison grounded in hands-on experience and technical insight, you’re better equipped to decide which aligns best with your photographic adventures.

If you have any questions or want sample RAW conversions, feel free to reach out - I’m always happy to share further tests and insights!

Happy shooting!

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