• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 50.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Sony DSC-W170 advantages over Canon 5DS

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    24 mm vs 76 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    169g vs 946g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon 5DS advantages over Sony DSC-W170

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.14 vs 1.69 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 370 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    9 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • 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
  • More dots on screen
    1044k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    50.6 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.8 fps vs 1.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony DSC-W170

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 5DS
Body Only
All 5DS Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FS20

Sony DSC-W170
Panasonic DMC-FS20
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony DSC-W170 vs Panasonic DMC-FS20

Canon 5DS
Panasonic DMC-FS20
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash

Compare Canon 5DS vs Panasonic DMC-FS20

Compared to Canon SD890 IS

Sony DSC-W170
Canon SD890 IS
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony DSC-W170 vs Canon SD890 IS

Canon 5DS
Canon SD890 IS
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash

Compare Canon 5DS vs Canon SD890 IS

Compared to Panasonic DMC-TS1

Sony DSC-W170
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Fast startup
  • HDMI out

Compare Sony DSC-W170 vs Panasonic DMC-TS1

Canon 5DS
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash

Compare Canon 5DS vs Panasonic DMC-TS1

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Sony DSC-W170
Canon 5DS R
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony DSC-W170 vs Canon 5DS R

Canon 5DS
Canon 5DS R
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Canon 5DS vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Pentax K-1

Sony DSC-W170
Pentax K-1
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony DSC-W170 vs Pentax K-1

Canon 5DS
Pentax K-1
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5DS vs Pentax K-1

Compare Other Cameras?