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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W800

Portability
88
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 front
Portability
96
Imaging
44
Features
29
Overall
38

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W800 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
  • Superseded the Canon SX160 IS
Sony W800
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.4) lens
  • 125g - 97 x 55 x 21mm
  • Introduced February 2014
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W800 Overview

The following is a thorough overview of the Canon SX170 IS and Sony W800, 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 W800 (20MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was brought out 5 months prior to the W800 so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SX170 IS matches up against the W800 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Sony W800

 SX170 IS W800 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony W800 over the Canon SX170 IS

 W800 SX170 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Sony W800

 SX170 IS W800 
IntroducedAugust 2013February 2014Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W800 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX170 IS comes with exterior dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Sony W800 has sizing of 97mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX170 IS and Sony W800 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the SX170 IS vs the W800.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W800 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and W800 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W800 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W800 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to envision the difference between sensor dimensions simply by looking at technical specs. The image below will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX170 IS and W800.

As you have seen, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony W800 to give extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos way more aggressively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W800 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W800 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W800 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography information
Sony W800 Portrait photography information
43
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
comes with face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
37
good MP (20MP)
features face detection focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography factors
Sony W800 Street photography factors
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (251 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (125g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony W800 as a Sports photography camera
48
incredible zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography factors
Sony W800 Travel photography factors
68
lighter than competition (251 grams)
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
great reach (448mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
70
lighter than competitors in class (125 grams)
good MP (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography advice
Sony W800 Landscape photography advice
49
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
40
fairly wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging info
Sony W800 Vlogging info
31
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than competition (251g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone socket
33
fairly wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
lighter than competitors in class (125 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic port
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony W800 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Sony W800
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W800
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-08-22 2014-02-13
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 20MP
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 5152 x 3864
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
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) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.2-6.4
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Flash Off / Advanced Flash
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVI MPEG4
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 251 grams (0.55 pounds) 125 grams (0.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 97 x 55 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 photos -
Style of battery 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 feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $0 $90