Canon SX170 IS vs Sony TX9
88 Imaging
40 Features
41 Overall
40


95 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37
Canon SX170 IS vs Sony TX9 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed August 2013
- Replaced the Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
- 149g - 98 x 60 x 18mm
- Launched July 2010

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony TX9 Overview
Lets take a deeper look at the Canon SX170 IS and Sony TX9, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by rivals Canon and Sony. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and TX9 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SX170 IS was unveiled 3 years later than the TX9 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Sony TX9 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SX170 IS grades versus the TX9 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony TX9 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX9. The full galleries are viewable at Canon SX170 IS Gallery and Sony TX9 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Sony TX9
SX170 IS | TX9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2013 | ![]() | July 2010 | Fresher by 39 months |
Reasons to pick Sony TX9 over the Canon SX170 IS
TX9 | SX170 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3.5" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+692k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Sony TX9
SX170 IS | TX9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen |
Canon SX170 IS vs Sony TX9 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Canon SX170 IS has exterior measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Sony TX9 has specifications of 98mm x 60mm x 18mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 0.7") and a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs).
Contrast the Canon SX170 IS and Sony TX9 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the SX170 IS compared to the TX9.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and TX9 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony TX9 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizing only by reviewing specifications. The graphic underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SX170 IS and TX9.
Plainly, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Canon SX170 IS to deliver more detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more modern SX170 IS should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony TX9 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony TX9 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX9 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX9 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Ultracompact |
Revealed | 2013-08-22 | 2010-07-08 |
Physical type | Compact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 4 | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 25-100mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.5-4.6 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 3.5 inch |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 2 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 3.80 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off | Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB 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) | 1920 x 1080 (50 fps), 1440 x 1080 (50, 25fps), 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 251 gr (0.55 lb) | 149 gr (0.33 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 98 x 60 x 18mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 photographs | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6LH | NP-BN1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 sec or 10 sec, portrait1/ portrait2) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/ SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $0 | $799 |