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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W550

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W550 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
  • Released August 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX160 IS
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Released July 2011
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W550 Overview

The following is a thorough overview of the Canon SX170 IS versus Sony W550, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the W550 (14MP) is pretty close and both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was released 2 years after the W550 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summary of how the SX170 IS matches up vs the W550 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Sony W550

 SX170 IS W550 
ReleasedAugust 2013July 2011Newer by 26 months
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Canon SX170 IS

 W550 SX170 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Sony W550

 SX170 IS W550 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera often, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX170 IS enjoys external dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony W550 has dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX170 IS versus Sony W550 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at that moment. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the SX170 IS versus the W550.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W550 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SX170 IS and W550 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions just by looking through specifications. The image here will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX170 IS and W550.

To sum up, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Canon SX170 IS to render extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more modern SX170 IS is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W550 as a Portrait photography camera
44
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides face detect autofocus
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
28
resolution is good (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Street photography camera
Sony W550 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (251 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony W550 as a Sports photography camera
48
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides tracking focus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
35
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography features
Sony W550 Travel photography features
68
lighter than others (251 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
great reach (448mm)
missing Timelapse function
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
65
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography highlights
Sony W550 Landscape photography highlights
49
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Timelapse function
42
quite wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX170 IS
Vlogging with Sony W550
31
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
lighter than others (251 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone jack
29
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Sony W550
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Released 2013-08-22 2011-07-24
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Color LCD Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 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 modes Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure 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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 251 gr (0.55 lb) 110 gr (0.24 lb)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" 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 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6LH NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single -
Retail price $0 $119