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Canon SX600 HS vs Sony W550

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
45
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX600 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Canon SX600 HS vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Canon SX600 HS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1280 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.8-6.9) lens
  • 188g - 104 x 61 x 26mm
  • Introduced January 2014
  • Successor is Canon SX610 HS
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Announced July 2011
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Canon SX600 HS vs Sony W550 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Canon SX600 HS and Sony W550, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX600 HS (16MP) and the W550 (14MP) is fairly comparable and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX600 HS was announced 2 years after the W550 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX600 HS being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a quick view of how the SX600 HS matches up vs the W550 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX600 HS over the Sony W550

 SX600 HS W550 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014July 2011More modern by 30 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Canon SX600 HS

 W550 SX600 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX600 HS and Sony W550

 SX600 HS W550 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Canon SX600 HS vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX600 HS has got external dimensions of 104mm x 61mm x 26mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.0") having a weight of 188 grams (0.41 lbs) while the Sony W550 has proportions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX600 HS and Sony W550 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the SX600 HS against the W550.

Canon SX600 HS vs Sony W550 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX600 HS and W550 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX600 HS vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX600 HS vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizes simply by seeing specifications. The pic below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX600 HS and W550.

To sum up, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Canon SX600 HS to produce more detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The fresher SX600 HS will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX600 HS vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Canon SX600 HS vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX600 HS vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX600 HS
Portrait photography with Sony W550
43
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports face detection autofocus
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
28
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX600 HS
Street photography with Sony W550
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (188 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX600 HS Sports photography highlights
Sony W550 Sports photography highlights
40
incredible zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Canon SX600 HS as a Travel photography camera
Sony W550 as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than average in class (188g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (450mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
65
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX600 HS Landscape photography details
Sony W550 Landscape photography details
47
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
42
reasonably wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX600 HS
Vlogging with Sony W550
35
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1280 pixels)
lighter than average in class (188g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic support
29
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
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Canon SX600 HS vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX600 HS and Sony W550
 Canon PowerShot SX600 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX600 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Introduced 2014-01-06 2011-07-24
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4+ BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
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 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-450mm (18.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.8-6.9 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech PureColor II G (TFT) Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m (50 cm � 3.5 m (W) / 1.0 m � 2.0 m (T)) 3.80 m
Flash options Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Slow Synchro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1280 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1280 1280x720
Video format H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 188 gr (0.41 pounds) 110 gr (0.24 pounds)
Dimensions 104 x 61 x 26mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.0") 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 290 photographs -
Form of battery 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 recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 -
Pricing at release $249 $119