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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-S950SonyCyber-shot DSC-W170
Overview
Released2009April 2008
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1/2.3-type1/2.3-type
Sensor typeSuper HAD CCDSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution10.1 MP10.1 MP
Largest image3648 × 27363648 × 2736
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range100–320080–3200
Sensor detailOptical 1/2.3-type Super HAD CCD, approximately 10.1 million effective / 10.3 million total pixels. Optical format is not a physical dimension; shared instruction manual labels S950 separately from 12.1 MP S9801/2.3-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 formatsJPEG/Exif 2.21; maximum 3648×2736, with 3:2 3648×2432 and 16:9 3648×2056/1920×1080 settings. No RAW. UK archive mixed 12 MP template entries excludedJPEG, 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 lens33–132 mm equivalent28–140 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.5–5.6f/3.3–5.2
Optical zoom4×5×
StabilisationElectronic onlyOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst–1.6 fps
Lens detailSony 4× zoom, physical 5.8–23.2 mm F2.5–5.6, equivalent 33–132 mm. Closest focus approximately 5 cm wide / 50 cm telephotoCarl 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
AutofocusSingle autofocus; nine-area multi AF or centre AF and distance presets 0.5 m, 1 m, 3 m, 7 m and infinity, not continuously adjustable manual focus. Face detection up to eight faces; no AF illuminatorNine-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
ShutterAuto 1/8–1/2000 second; Program auto 1–1/2000 second in exact Hong Kong maker tableAuto approximately 1/4–1/1600 second; Program approximately 1–1/1600 second
Burst detailUp to 100 frames while shutter is held, approximately 1-second recording interval. Focus, exposure and white balance fixed to first frame; flash off and ISO limited to Auto or 100–400. Self-timer burst limited to five frames. No unrestricted sustained rate inferredSony 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 detailElectronic SteadyShot only, not optical lens or sensor-shift stabilisation. Handbook excludes flash use and Easy Shooting; processing takes additional timeOptical Super SteadyShot with Shooting or Continuous modes
FlashAuto ISO range approximately 0.5–3.5 m wide / 0.5–1.5 m telephoto. Forced flash, slow sync and off; red-eye reduction availableBuilt-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 controlsAuto, Easy Shooting, Program auto, High Sensitivity and six scene modes: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach and Snow. No manual or aperture/shutter-priority exposure. ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; multi-pattern, centre-weighted and spot metering. ISO Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 and 3200Auto, 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 resolution320 × 240 at 30 fps640 × 480 at 30 fps
Video detailAVI Motion JPEG, 320×240 at approximately 30 fps with mono sound. Movie image size fixed to 320×240 in exact instruction manual, overriding UK archive mixed 640×480 template entriesMPEG 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
ViewfinderNoneOptical
Screen size2.7″2.7″
Screen dots230,400230,400
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenNoNo
Display detailFixed 2.7-inch TFT, 230,400 dots; dots are not captured image pixels. No tilting or touchscreen; histogram displayFixed 2.7-type TFT LCD, 230400 dots in the manual versus rounded 230K in the datasheet; optical zoom viewfinder
Viewfinder detailNo separate viewfinder; composition uses rear LCD–
Connections and design
BluetoothNo–
Battery life (maker's claim)330 photographs390 photographs
Body weight135 g142 g
Release detailSony Hong Kong January 16 2009 release planned availability from early February; German release also planned February. Actual CDR Electronics October 23 2009 exact-model sale notice and contemporary full ColorFoto test support year 2009. First retail month/day unresolved, so year precision retained. No predecessor inferred from model numberingSony 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 mediaApproximately 12 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo (no enhanced PRO-HG transfer performance). No card suppliedApproximately 15 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo or PRO-HG Duo. No SD card slot
PortsCombined USB/A/V OUT terminal: Hi-Speed USB 2.0, mono audio and NTSC/PAL composite video. Exact instruction manual overrides UK archive A/V No template entry. PictBridge compatible; no external microphone inputMulti-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 detailSupplied NP-BK1 rechargeable lithium-ion pack: approximately 330 still images / 165 minutes CIPA at 25°C. Viewing claim 4800 images / 240 minutes is a separate playback test, not shooting enduranceSupplied 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
ChargingExternal BC-CSK or BC-CSKA charger supplied; USB is not listed as a charging method. Optional AC-LS5K mains adaptor separateExternal BC-CSGB/BC-CSGC charger: approximately 330 minutes full charge or 270 minutes normal charge at 25°C; optional AC-LS5K adapter supported
Dimensions93.1×55.7×23.8 mm width×height×depth, excluding protrusions93.7 × 58 × 24 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detail135 g body only in maker UK/Hong Kong tables; approximately 157 g including NP-BK1 battery pack and strap, etc. in exact instruction manual142 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 boxNP-BK1 battery, BC-CSK/BC-CSKA charger (region-dependent), dedicated USB cable, A/V cable, wrist strap, software/handbook CD and instruction manual; Memory Stick Duo separateNP-BG1, external battery charger, multi-use USB/AV cable, wrist strap, software/handbook CD-ROM and instructions; memory card not supplied

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