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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 · Sony Japan silver DSC-W170 front oblique photograph, native 740 × 555 pixels; supplied complete studio canvas retained without enlargement

Sony · Cyber-shot

Cyber-shot DSC-W170

Released April 2008

A ten-megapixel pocket compact with a stabilised 28–140 mm equivalent zoom, optical viewfinder and automatic scene recognition.

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/2.3-type
Megapixels: 10.1
Lens: 28–140 mm equivalent
Video: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Body weight: 142 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews valued the stabilised wide-angle zoom and automatic scene functions, while noting sluggish responses and high-ISO detail loss. Imaging Resource praised large low-ISO prints but criticised confusing menus, the inaccurate viewfinder and indoor white balance. ITmedia found the mode dial convenient and Advanced scene recognition useful for backlit portraits, while wanting faster, more reliable face detection.

From imaging-resource.com and itmedia.co.jp

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor format: 1/2.3-type
Sensor type: Super HAD CCD
Effective resolution: 10.1 MP
Largest image: 3648 × 2736
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 80–3200
Sensor detail: 1/2.3-type primary-colour Super HAD CCD, approximately 10.1 million effective and 10.3 million total photosites; optical format is not physical sensor dimensions
Image formats: JPEG, 3648 × 2736 maximum; 3648 × 2432 in 3:2 or 3648 × 2056/1920 × 1080 in 16:9
ISO detail: Auto or ISO80–3200
Image processor: BIONZ with standard and Plus D-range optimisation and Clear RAW NR; photographs are recorded as JPEG rather than RAW

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 28–140 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/3.3–5.2
Optical zoom: 5×
Stabilisation: Optical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst: 1.6 fps
Lens detail: Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar, actual 5–25 mm, equivalent to 28–140 mm; nine elements in seven groups including one ED and three aspherical elements. Conversion lenses/46 mm filters require optional VAD-WE adapter
Autofocus: Nine-area Multipoint, centre or spot AF with illuminator; semi-manual distance presets 0.5/1/3/7 m or infinity. Auto/macro focus from approximately 10 cm wide or 50 cm telephoto; face detection for up to eight people with child/adult priority, Smile Shutter
Shutter: Auto approximately 1/4–1/1600 second; Program approximately 1–1/1600 second
Burst detail: Sony US datasheet specifies 1.6 fps for up to 100 photographs at all resolutions; some scene modes unavailable and flash reduces the shooting speed
Stabilisation detail: Optical Super SteadyShot with Shooting or Continuous modes
Flash: Built-in flash with Auto, forced, off, slow-sync and red-eye reduction; manual ISO Auto range approximately 0.2–4.2 m wide or 0.5–2.7 m telephoto
Exposure controls: Auto, Easy, Program and scene selections; iSCN recognises five scene types, with Advanced mode taking a second photograph when a different setting is selected; ±2 EV compensation

Video

Highest video resolution: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Video detail: MPEG Movie VX Fine 640 × 480 at approximately 30 fps requires Memory Stick PRO Duo or PRO-HG Duo; Standard approximately 16.6 fps and Presentation 320 × 240 approximately 8.3 fps in the launch sheet. Manual limits continuous movies to approximately ten minutes; no HD movie recording or playback
Audio: MPEG1 mono movie sound; built-in mono microphone and speaker

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 2.7″
Screen dots: 230,400
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed 2.7-type TFT LCD, 230400 dots in the manual versus rounded 230K in the datasheet; optical zoom viewfinder

Connections and design

Battery life (maker's claim): 390 photographs
Body weight: 142 g
Release detail: Sony US announcement specifies April 2008 store availability, Sony Japan states 11 April and Hong Kong planned May. First international retail month retained because an earlier day within April is unconfirmed
Recording media: Approximately 15 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo or PRO-HG Duo. No SD card slot
Ports: Multi-use connector for USB 2.0 Hi-Speed and mono AV output; HD component still-photo output requires optional cable or HD Cyber-shot Station cradle, rather than an HDMI socket
Battery life detail: Supplied NP-BG1, 3.4 Wh/960 mAh; optional NP-FG1 compatible. Manual CIPA claim approximately 390 photographs/195 minutes with LCD on or 460/230 minutes off at 25°C, Normal recording, Single AF, Shooting stabilisation, alternating zoom ends, one shot every 30 seconds, flash every second shot and power cycle every ten
Charging: External BC-CSGB/BC-CSGC charger: approximately 330 minutes full charge or 270 minutes normal charge at 25°C; optional AC-LS5K adapter supported
Dimensions: 93.7 × 58 × 24 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detail: 142 g body-only in Sony Japan specifications; approximately 175 g including NP-BG1, Memory Stick Duo and supplied accessories
Colours: Silver, black, red or gold; finishes share this model
In the box: NP-BG1, external battery charger, multi-use USB/AV cable, wrist strap, software/handbook CD-ROM and instructions; memory card not supplied

Pros and cons

Pros

Optical lens stabilisation
Five-times zoom starting at 28 mm equivalent
Optical viewfinder alongside the screen

Cons

No manual shutter or aperture control
HD still-photo output needs optional accessories
VGA Fine video requires Memory Stick PRO Duo

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-S930	Compact	1/2.3-type	10.1	36–108 mm equivalent	320 × 240 at 30 fps	118 g	2009
SonyCyber-shot DSC-S950	Compact	1/2.3-type	10.1	33–132 mm equivalent	320 × 240 at 30 fps	135 g	2009
SonyCyber-shot DSC-S980	Compact	1/2.3-type	12.1	33–132 mm equivalent	320 × 240 at 30 fps	135 g	2009

Sources

Photo: Sony Japan silver DSC-W170 front oblique photograph, native 740 × 555 pixels; supplied complete studio canvas retained without enlargement

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 silver, red, black and gold finishes shown together in front oblique views: Sony Japan official photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 in silver, straight-on front view: Sony Japan official photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 in silver, rear controls and display: Sony Japan official photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 in black, straight-on front view: Sony Japan official photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 in black, rear controls and display: Sony Japan official photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 in gold, straight-on front view: Sony Japan official photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 in gold, rear controls and display: Sony Japan official photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 in red, straight-on front view: Sony Japan official photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 in red, rear controls and display: Sony Japan official photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 in silver, held in one hand with its rear controls and display visible: Sony Japan official photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 silver, black, gold and red finishes on the supplied dark studio surface: Sony Japan official photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 silver and black cameras on the supplied reflective dark studio surface: Sony Japan official photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 silver rear controls and display on the supplied dark studio backdrop: Sony Japan official photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 silver front and extended lens detail on the supplied dark studio backdrop: Sony Japan official photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 silver camera with an optional teleconversion lens and mounting adapter attached: Sony Japan official photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 silver camera with an optional wide conversion lens and mounting adapter attached: Sony Japan official photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 silver camera shown with optional conversion lenses and adapter: Sony Japan official photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 in black, front oblique view: Sony Japan official photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 in gold, front oblique view: Sony Japan official photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 in red, front oblique view: Sony Japan official photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained

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