Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 vs Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
      65
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      51
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 and the Canon PowerShot SX170 IS, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 was introduced in October 2008 and Canon PowerShot SX170 IS was introduced in August 2013. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 Highlights

      • 24.6 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 922k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Highlights

      • 16 MP 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • 0.8 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
      4. Advantage of Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 and Canon PowerShot SX170 IS.

      PROS

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      •   Large Sensor
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Cheap
      •   Video Capture
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Light - 251 g (0.55 lb / 8.85 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/3200 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      •   Sensor Resolution - 24.6 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 79
      •   Weight - 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 880 shots
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"

      Advantage of Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Sony DSLR-A900
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 over Canon PowerShot SX170 IS.

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 vs Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
      Larger Sensor Full Frame vs 1/2.3-inch
      Higher Sensor Resolution 24.6 Megapixel vs 16 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 6048 x 4032 vs 4608 x 3456
      RAW Support vs
      Selective Autofocus vs
      Continuous Autofocus vs
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Higher Resolution Screen 922k dot vs 230k dot
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) vs
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 30 sec vs 15 sec
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/8000 sec vs 1/3200 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 5.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
      External Flash Connectivity vs
      HDMI Output Mini Type C vs
      Environmental Sealing vs
      Longer Battery Life 880 shots vs 300 shots
      More Storage Slots 2 vs 1

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Alpha DSLR-A900.

      Sony DSLR-A230
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A380
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      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A300
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A290
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A560
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A550
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A700
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      APS-C

      10.24 MP

      Sony DSLR-A500
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      APS-C

      12.3 MP

      Sony DSLR-A200
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A850
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      Full Frame

      24.6 MP

      Sony DSLR-A390
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      APS-C

      14.2 MP

      Sony DSLR-A100
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Advantage of Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      Canon SX170 IS
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot SX170 IS over Sony Alpha DSLR-A900.

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 vs Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 1,600
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Live View vs
      Built-in Flash vs
      Built-in Microphone vs Mono
      Lighter 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz) vs 251 g (0.55 lb / 8.85 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon PowerShot SX170 IS.

      Canon SX120 IS
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      1/2.5-inch

      10.0 MP

      Canon SX150 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      14.1 MP

      Canon SX160 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Canon SX130 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Nikon Z30
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      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Canon G15
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      1/1.7-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon R100
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      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Nikon D4
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      Full Frame

      16.2 MP

      Sony a7S III
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      Full Frame

      12.1 MP

      Sony a6100
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon R8
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Nikon Z8
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
        Image StabilizationSensor Shift
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
        Timelapse Recording
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi Eye-Fi Connection possible
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 and Canon PowerShot SX170 IS have 3.0" Fixed screens with 922k dot and 230k dot resolutions respectively.


      Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder on Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.74x magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Canon PowerShot SX170 IS.

      Sensor

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 features a 24.6 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35.9 x 24 mm and a total area of 861.6 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400. Canon PowerShot SX170 IS features a 16 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600.

      Photography Features

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 6048 x 4032 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4400 x 2936, 4400 x 2936, 3024 x 2016, 6048 x 3408, 4400 x 2472, 3024 x 1704, 3924 x 2656, 2896 x 1928, 1984 x 1320 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Canon PowerShot SX170 IS is equipped with DIGIC 4 processor and can take pictures up to 4608 x 3456 resolution.


      Image Stabilization

      The cameras have a built-in image stabilization. On Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 it means that you are still getting vibration reduction when it is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 comes with NP-FM500H battery pack with battery life of 880 shots and Canon PowerShot SX170 IS comes with NB-6LH battery pack with battery life of 300 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 has two card slots - one for Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo and one for . Canon PowerShot SX170 IS has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 has Electronically controlled Vertical-traverse Carbon Fiber Focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Sony Alpha DSLR-A900, and up to 1/3200 sec on Canon PowerShot SX170 IS. Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps. Canon PowerShot SX170 IS can shoot continuously up to 0.8 fps.


      Flash

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS has a built-in flash with maximum range of 3.00 m. Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Proprietary Hot Shoe (compatible w/ Sony & Minolta flashes). The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on Sony Alpha DSLR-A900.

      Physical Parameters

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 body has dimensions of 156 x 117 x 82 mm (6.14 x 4.61 x 3.23") and Canon PowerShot SX170 IS body has dimensions of 108 x 71 x 44 mm (4.25 x 2.8 x 1.73"). Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 weighs 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz) and Canon PowerShot SX170 IS weighs 251 g (0.55 lb / 8.85 oz).

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      156 mm

      117 mm

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      108 mm

      71 mm

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      117 mm

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      71 mm

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      Size comparisons of Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 and Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 and Canon PowerShot SX170 IS for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      GOOD
      82
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      48
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Battery Life - 880 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      66
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 880 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      GOOD
      78
      •   Large Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      72
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      GOOD
      81
      •   Large Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz)
      GOOD
      82
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 251 g (0.55 lb / 8.85 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      GOOD
      80
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 880 shots
      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 251 g (0.55 lb / 8.85 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 and Canon PowerShot SX170 IS and give them scores of 65 and 51 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      OVERALL
      65
      OVERALL
      51

      Sensor

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      GOOD
      74
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 24.6 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 79
      POOR
      46
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      GOOD
      76
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      AVERAGE
      61
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/3200 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 0.8 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      BAD
      0
      •   Image Stabilization
      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720

      Focusing

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      GOOD
      71
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      GOOD
      70
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      GOOD
      73
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      POOR
      52
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      AVERAGE
      57
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      BAD
      36
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

      Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

      GOOD
      74
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 880 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      POOR
      45
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 251 g (0.55 lb / 8.85 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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