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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W650

Portability
88
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
32
Overall
35

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W650 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
  • Announced August 2013
  • Older Model is Canon SX160 IS
Sony W650
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 124g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W650 Overview

The following is a extended review of the Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W650, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the W650 (16MP) is very similar and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX170 IS was revealed 20 months after the W650 making them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a quick view of how the SX170 IS matches up against the W650 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Sony W650

 SX170 IS W650 
AnnouncedAugust 2013January 2012Newer by 20 months
Manually focus More exact focus

Reasons to pick Sony W650 over the Canon SX170 IS

 W650 SX170 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Sony W650

 SX170 IS W650 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W650 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and size. The Canon SX170 IS has physical dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Sony W650 has specifications of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 124 grams (0.27 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W650 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the SX170 IS and the W650.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W650 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX170 IS and W650 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W650 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W650 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions purely by going over a spec sheet. The image underneath might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX170 IS and W650.

As you can see, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of files although you have to factor the age of the products into consideration. The newer SX170 IS will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W650 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W650 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W650 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W650 as a Portrait photography camera
43
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
34
megapixel count good (16MP)
provides face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography factors
Sony W650 Street photography factors
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (251g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (124g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography details
Sony W650 Sports photography details
48
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
40
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
provides tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography advice
Sony W650 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than competition in class (251 grams)
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
long zoom (448mm)
no Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
68
lighter than competition in class (124 grams)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W650 as a Landscape photography camera
49
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Timelapse function
42
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony W650 as a Vlogging camera
31
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (251g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone support
33
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (124g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone support
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W650 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Sony W650
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-08-22 2012-01-10
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD Clear Photo TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.70 m
Flash options Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 251g (0.55 lb) 124g (0.27 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 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 photographs 220 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, microSD/micro SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $0 $140