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Canon SX610 HS vs Sony S950

Portability
93
Imaging
46
Features
47
Overall
46
Canon PowerShot SX610 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon SX610 HS vs Sony S950 Key Specs

Canon SX610 HS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.8-6.9) lens
  • 191g - 105 x 61 x 27mm
  • Announced January 2015
  • Superseded the Canon SX600 HS
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Released February 2009
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Canon SX610 HS vs Sony S950 Overview

The following is a thorough review of the Canon SX610 HS versus Sony S950, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Sony. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the SX610 HS (20MP) and S950 (10MP) but they feature the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX610 HS was manufactured 5 years after the S950 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short highlight of how the SX610 HS grades versus the S950 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX610 HS over the Sony S950

 SX610 HS S950 
ReleasedJanuary 2015February 2009Newer by 72 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Canon SX610 HS

 S950 SX610 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX610 HS and Sony S950

 SX610 HS S950 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Canon SX610 HS vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX610 HS comes with outside dimensions of 105mm x 61mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 191 grams (0.42 lbs) and the Sony S950 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Canon SX610 HS versus Sony S950 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the SX610 HS and the S950.

Canon SX610 HS vs Sony S950 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SX610 HS and S950 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX610 HS vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX610 HS vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions just by researching specs. The image underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SX610 HS and S950.

All in all, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Canon SX610 HS to result in extra detail due to its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots much more aggressively. The more recent SX610 HS is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Canon SX610 HS vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Canon SX610 HS vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX610 HS vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX610 HS Portrait photography details
Sony S950 Portrait photography details
44
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20MP)
features face detect focusing
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
26
has manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX610 HS Street photography factors
Sony S950 Street photography factors
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (191g)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX610 HS Sports photography factors
Sony S950 Sports photography factors
45
incredible zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.5 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (270 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
24
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX610 HS Travel photography factors
Sony S950 Travel photography factors
68
lighter than competition in class (191g)
good megapixels (20MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (450mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
terrible battery (270 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.8)
50
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX610 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S950 as a Landscape photography camera
48
you can focus manually
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.8)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
terrible battery (270 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
31
has manual focus
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX610 HS Vlogging information
Sony S950 Vlogging information
35
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (191g)
slow max aperture (f3.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone jack
9
lack of video recording
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Canon SX610 HS vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX610 HS and Sony S950
 Canon PowerShot SX610 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX610 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2015-01-06 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4+ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 20 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-450mm (18.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.8-6.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 922 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 2.5 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, on, slow synchro, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 191 gr (0.42 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 61 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 270 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $214 $130