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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX50

Portability
88
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX50 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
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX160 IS
Sony WX50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Released January 2012
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX50 Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX50, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the WX50 (16MP) is relatively comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was unveiled 19 months after the WX50 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SX170 IS grades versus the WX50 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Sony WX50

 SX170 IS WX50 
ReleasedAugust 2013January 2012Newer by 19 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony WX50 over the Canon SX170 IS

 WX50 SX170 IS 
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Sony WX50

 SX170 IS WX50 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX50 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX170 IS has got outside measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Sony WX50 has specifications of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX50 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the SX170 IS compared to the WX50.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX50 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and WX50 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX50 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX50 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by going through a spec sheet. The picture below might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX170 IS and WX50.

As you can see, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution therefore you can expect comparable quality of images although you might want to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The fresher SX170 IS provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX50 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX50 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography advice
Sony WX50 Portrait photography advice
43
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has face detect focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
34
good resolution (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX170 IS
Street photography with Sony WX50
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (251 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117g)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography details
Sony WX50 Sports photography details
48
great zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
has tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
44
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
includes tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography factors
Sony WX50 Travel photography factors
68
lighter than competitors in class (251 grams)
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
very long reach (448mm)
no Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
68
lighter than average (117 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography details
Sony WX50 Landscape photography details
49
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Timelapse mode
38
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging highlights
Sony WX50 Vlogging highlights
31
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
lighter than competitors in class (251g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone support
35
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (117 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
does not contain selfie friendly display
missing microphone jack
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony WX50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Sony WX50
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-08-22 2012-01-30
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT Color LCD Clearfoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 251g (0.55 lb) 117g (0.26 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" 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 240 photographs
Battery format 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 shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $0 $250