Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W290
88 Imaging
40 Features
41 Overall
40


94 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W290 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
- Earlier Model is Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
- Revealed February 2009

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W290 Overview
Below, we will be contrasting the Canon SX170 IS and Sony W290, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and W290 (12MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SX170 IS was introduced 4 years later than the W290 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SX170 IS matches up vs the W290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W290 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon SX170 IS Gallery and Sony W290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Sony W290
SX170 IS | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2013 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 55 months |
Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Canon SX170 IS
W290 | SX170 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Sony W290
SX170 IS | W290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen dimensions |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to carry your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and size. The Canon SX170 IS enjoys outside dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony W290 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX170 IS and Sony W290 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view size comparison of the SX170 IS against the W290.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and W290 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing only by looking at a spec sheet. The visual below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and W290.
As you can see, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Canon SX170 IS to resolve greater detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The younger SX170 IS should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W290 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2013-08-22 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor 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 | 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 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 2 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 3.90 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 251 gr (0.55 lbs) | 167 gr (0.37 lbs) |
Dimensions | 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" 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 shots | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-6LH | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $0 | $230 |