• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSC-W170 advantages over Canon SD980 IS

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • More telephoto lens reach
    140 mm vs 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.6 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Canon SD980 IS advantages over Sony DSC-W170

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Fast startup
    ~1.70 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/3000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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

  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • 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

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Buy the Sony DSC-W170

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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 SD980 IS
Panasonic DMC-FS20
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • HDMI out
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon SD980 IS 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 SD980 IS
Canon SD890 IS
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SD980 IS vs Canon SD890 IS

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Sony DSC-W170
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More pixels

Compare Sony DSC-W170 vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Canon SD980 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Faster shutter
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure

Compare Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Sony DSC-W170
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More pixels

Compare Sony DSC-W170 vs Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Canon SD980 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure

Compare Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic DMC-FX580S

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 SD980 IS
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure

Compare Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic DMC-TS1

Compare Other Cameras?