• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony DSC-W170 advantages over Sony DSLR-A580

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    24 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    169g vs 694g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 32 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony DSLR-A580 advantages over Sony DSC-W170

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 1.69 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1050 vs 370 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k 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
    16.2 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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
    7.1 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
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • 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

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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
Sony DSLR-A580
Panasonic DMC-FS20
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • 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
Sony DSLR-A580
Canon SD890 IS
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

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
Sony DSLR-A580
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony A33

Sony DSC-W170
Sony A33
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony DSLR-A580
Sony A33
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack

Compared to Sony A35

Sony DSC-W170
Sony A35
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony DSLR-A580
Sony A35
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
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