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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W380

Portability
88
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380 front
Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W380 Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(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
  • Introduced August 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX160 IS
Sony W380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 117g - 91 x 52 x 20mm
  • Released January 2010
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W380 Overview

Here is a extended analysis of the Canon SX170 IS and Sony W380, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Ultracompact by brands Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the W380 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was brought out 3 years later than the W380 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Sony W380 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SX170 IS matches up against the W380 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Sony W380

 SX170 IS W380 
ReleasedAugust 2013January 2010Fresher by 45 months
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony W380 over the Canon SX170 IS

 W380 SX170 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Sony W380

 SX170 IS W380 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W380 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera often, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Canon SX170 IS provides exterior dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony W380 has sizing of 91mm x 52mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX170 IS and Sony W380 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the SX170 IS versus the W380.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W380 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SX170 IS and W380 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W380 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W380 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizing simply by seeing specifications. The visual here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX170 IS and W380.

To sum up, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Canon SX170 IS to provide greater detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The younger SX170 IS will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W380 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W380 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W380 as a Portrait photography camera
43
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
28
MP count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Street photography camera
Sony W380 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (251g)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography features
Sony W380 Sports photography features
48
amazing zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography info
Sony W380 Travel photography info
68
lighter than competitors in class (251 grams)
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
long zoom (448mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
65
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W380 as a Landscape photography camera
49
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
37
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony W380 as a Vlogging camera
31
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (251g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
29
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Sony W380
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W380
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Introduced 2013-08-22 2010-01-07
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 Bionz
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 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.4-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 4.80 m
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 grams (0.55 lbs) 117 grams (0.26 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 91 x 52 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8")
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 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6LH NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 sec or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro HG-Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $0 $44