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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX5

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
29
Overall
32

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX5 Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(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
  • Launched August 2013
  • Old Model is Canon SX160 IS
Sony WX5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 146g - 92 x 52 x 22mm
  • Released July 2010
Photography Glossary

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX5 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Canon SX170 IS versus Sony WX5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and WX5 (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was released 3 years later than the WX5 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the SX170 IS matches up vs the WX5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Sony WX5

 SX170 IS WX5 
ReleasedAugust 2013July 2010Fresher by 39 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony WX5 over the Canon SX170 IS

 WX5 SX170 IS 
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Sony WX5

 SX170 IS WX5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX5 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX170 IS has 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) whilst the Sony WX5 has proportions of 92mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX170 IS versus Sony WX5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the SX170 IS vs the WX5.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX5 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and WX5 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to picture the difference between sensor sizing just by reading through technical specs. The photograph here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and WX5.

As you have seen, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can count on the Canon SX170 IS to give greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The younger SX170 IS should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX5 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography highlights
Sony WX5 Portrait photography highlights
44
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
has face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
21
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography highlights
Sony WX5 Street photography highlights
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (251 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX170 IS
Sports photography with Sony WX5
48
incredible zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
has tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography details
Sony WX5 Travel photography details
68
lighter than competition (251 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
great reach (448mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
58
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography highlights
Sony WX5 Landscape photography highlights
49
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
37
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (2.8 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
lack of manual exposure
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony WX5 as a Vlogging camera
31
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (251 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
32
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic support
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Sony WX5
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-08-22 2010-07-08
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Bionz
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.4-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.8"
Screen resolution 230k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Color 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 per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 5.10 m
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync
Hot shoe
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) 1920 x 1080 (50 fps), 1440 x 1080 (50, 25fps), 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 251 grams (0.55 lb) 146 grams (0.32 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 92 x 52 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9")
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 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6LH NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/ SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $0 $250