Sony DSC-W170 vs Canon EOS M3

Cameras
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Sony DSC-W170 vs Canon EOS M3

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1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
10.1 megapixels
28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony DSC-W170 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the DSC-W170.

APS-C 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon EOS M3 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon EOS M3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the EOS M3.
Compare Canon EOS M3 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon EOS M3 conclusion.

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Differences

Sony DSC-W170 advantages over Canon EOS M3

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

370 vs 250 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
24 mm vs 44 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
169g vs 366g
Lighter weight

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Sony DSC-W170

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.72 vs 1.69 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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
1040k 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
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.36 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.2 vs 10.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
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
4.2 fps vs 1.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 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
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS M3 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony DSC-W170

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Buy the Canon EOS M3

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (White)

All EOS M3 Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Sony DSC-W170 Review

DSLR image quality & resolution in a mirrorless body; Higher-res 24MP APS-C sensor; Much improved AF performance; Better ergonomics with full PASM dial; Built-in Wi-Fi & NFC; Tilting LCD.
No built-in EVF; Limited native lens selection; Slow burst mode; Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; No 60p video frame rate or 4K video option.
Read our Canon EOS M3 Review

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 EOS M3

Panasonic DMC-FS20

$1049
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$300
1/2.33 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Thinner

Compare Canon EOS M3 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 EOS M3

Canon SD890 IS

$1049
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$400
1/2.3 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS M3 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 EOS M3

Panasonic DMC-TS1

$1049
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$400
1/2.33 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Panasonic DMC-TS1

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Sony DSC-W170

Samsung NX3000

$225
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony DSC-W170 vs Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX3000

$1049
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Samsung NX3000

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Sony DSC-W170

Fujifilm X-E3

$225
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Internal flash

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Sony DSC-W170 vs Fujifilm X-E3

Canon EOS M3

Fujifilm X-E3

$1049
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
NFC

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Fujifilm X-E3

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