• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony DSC-W170 advantages over Canon EOS M50

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 235 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    24 mm vs 58 mm
    Thinner
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 36 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon EOS M50 advantages over Sony DSC-W170

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~1.60 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
    7 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
    1620k 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
    0.07 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
    10.0 fps vs 1.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 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
  • 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

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M50

Review Excerpt

  • Comfortable ergonomics and solid build; Versatile EVF and tilt-swivel, touch-screen LCD; Good image quality; Great performance for its class; New C-RAW format saves on raw file size; 4K video is an M-series first.

  • Somewhat limited dynamic range; JPEGs a little soft at base ISO, and more so at higher ISOs; Warm white balance under incandescent light; Poor battery life; Raw buffer is still shallow (but C-RAW helps).

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
Canon EOS M50
Panasonic DMC-FS20
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

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
Canon EOS M50
Canon SD890 IS
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life

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
Canon EOS M50
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon EOS M5

Sony DSC-W170
Canon EOS M5
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon EOS M50
Canon EOS M5
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $787
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony A6400

Sony DSC-W170
Sony A6400
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $823
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon EOS M50
Sony A6400
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $823
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Compare Other Cameras?