• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon 170 IS advantages over Sony WX500

  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 35 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    141g vs 236g
    Lighter weight

Sony WX500 advantages over Canon 170 IS

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 300 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 390 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 78k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S3600

Canon 170 IS
Nikon S3600
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Nikon S3600

Sony WX500
Nikon S3600
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compare Sony WX500 vs Nikon S3600

Compared to Canon 350 HS

Canon 170 IS
Canon 350 HS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $209
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Canon 350 HS

Sony WX500
Canon 350 HS
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $209
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Thinner

Compare Sony WX500 vs Canon 350 HS

Compared to Sony HX90V

Canon 170 IS
Sony HX90V
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Sony HX90V

Sony WX500
Sony HX90V
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony WX500 vs Sony HX90V

Compared to Canon 360 HS

Canon 170 IS
Canon 360 HS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $284
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Canon 360 HS

Sony WX500
Canon 360 HS
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $284
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Sony WX500 vs Canon 360 HS

Compared to Sony HX80

Canon 170 IS
Sony HX80
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Sony HX80

Sony WX500
Sony HX80
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony WX500 vs Sony HX80

Compare Other Cameras?