• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony DSC-W170 advantages over Leica V-LUX 2

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $850 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.69 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    24 mm vs 95 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    169g vs 520g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica V-LUX 2 advantages over Sony DSC-W170

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • 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
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    14.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony DSC-W170

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica V-LUX 2

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

Leica V-LUX 2
Panasonic DMC-FS20
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica V-LUX 2 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

Leica V-LUX 2
Canon SD890 IS
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • RAW file ability
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica V-LUX 2 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

Leica V-LUX 2
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Leica V-LUX 2 vs Panasonic DMC-TS1

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Sony DSC-W170
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony DSC-W170 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Leica V-LUX 2
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Leica V-LUX 2 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Compared to Panasonic FZ150

Sony DSC-W170
Panasonic FZ150
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony DSC-W170 vs Panasonic FZ150

Leica V-LUX 2
Panasonic FZ150
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • Longer exposure
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Leica V-LUX 2 vs Panasonic FZ150

Compare Other Cameras?