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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W120 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-W120SonyCyber-shot DSC-W170
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2008April 2008
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format–1/2.3-type
Sensor typeSuper HAD CCDSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution7.2 MP10.1 MP
Largest image3072 × 23043648 × 2736
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range100–320080–3200
Sensor detail1/2.5-type primary-colour Super HAD CCD, approximately 7.2 million effective and 7.4 million total photosites; optical format is not physical sensor dimensions1/2.3-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, 3072 × 2304 maximum; 3072 × 2048 in 3:2 or 3072 × 1728/1920 × 1080 in 16:9JPEG, 3648 × 2736 maximum; 3648 × 2432 in 3:2 or 3648 × 2056/1920 × 1080 in 16:9
ISO detailAuto or ISO100–3200; no ISO80 setting in the exact Sony Japan W120 tableAuto or ISO80–3200
Image processorBIONZ with standard D-range optimisation and Clear RAW NR; this processes JPEG photographs rather than recording RAW filesBIONZ with standard and Plus D-range optimisation and Clear RAW NR; photographs are recorded as JPEG rather than RAW
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens32–128 mm equivalent28–140 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.8–5.8f/3.3–5.2
Optical zoom4×5×
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst–1.6 fps
Lens detailCarl Zeiss Vario-Tessar, actual 5.35–21.4 mm; six elements in five groups including three aspherical elements. Conversion lenses/46 mm filters require optional VAD-WE adapterCarl 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
AutofocusNine-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 4 cm wide or 50 cm telephoto; face detection for up to eight people with child/adult priority, Smile ShutterNine-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 approximately 1/4–1/1600 second; Program approximately 1–1/1600 secondAuto approximately 1/4–1/1600 second; Program approximately 1–1/1600 second
Burst detailSony Japan specifies up to 100 photographs at all sizes without a frame rate on the read maker pages; some scene modes unavailable, and flash reduces the shooting speedSony 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 detailOptical Super SteadyShot with Shooting or Continuous modesOptical Super SteadyShot with Shooting or Continuous modes
FlashBuilt-in flash with Auto, forced, off, slow-sync and red-eye reduction; ISO Auto range approximately 0.2–3.9 m wide or 0.5–1.9 m telephotoBuilt-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, Program and nine scene selections including Smile Shutter; multi-pattern, centre-weighted or spot metering, ±2 EV compensation and white-balance presetsAuto, 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 resolution640 × 480 at 30 fps640 × 480 at 30 fps
Video detailMPEG Movie VX Fine 640 × 480 at approximately 30 fps requires Memory Stick PRO Duo or PRO-HG Duo; Standard approximately 17 fps, Presentation 320 × 240 approximately 8 fps. Manual limits continuous movies to approximately ten minutes; no HD movie recording or playbackMPEG 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
AudioMPEG1 mono movie sound; built-in mono microphone and speakerMPEG1 mono movie sound; built-in mono microphone and speaker
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size2.5″2.7″
Screen dots115,200230,400
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenNoNo
Display detailFixed 2.5-type TFT LCD, 115200 dots in the manual versus rounded 115K on archived specs; 100% LCD field of view, brightness adjustment, histogram and optical viewfinderFixed 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)350 photographs390 photographs
Body weight123 g142 g
Release detailSony US announcement specifies March 2008 store availability, Sony Japan states 7 March and Hong Kong specifies March. Month precision retained because an earlier international day within March is unconfirmedSony 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 15 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo or PRO-HG Duo. No SD card slotApproximately 15 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo or PRO-HG Duo. No SD card slot
PortsMulti-use connector for USB 2.0 Hi-Speed and mono AV output; HD component still-photo output requires optional Sony cable or HD Cyber-shot Station cradle, not an HDMI socket or HD movie outputMulti-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-BG1, 3.4 Wh/960 mAh; optional NP-FG1 compatible. Manual CIPA claim approximately 350 photographs/175 minutes with LCD on or 430/215 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 tenSupplied 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-CSG-series battery charger; optional AC-LS5K adapter supportedExternal BC-CSGB/BC-CSGC charger: approximately 330 minutes full charge or 270 minutes normal charge at 25°C; optional AC-LS5K adapter supported
Dimensions88.2 × 57.2 × 22.9 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions93.7 × 58 × 24 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detail123 g body-only in Sony Japan specifications; approximately 156 g including NP-BG1, Memory Stick Duo and supplied accessories142 g body-only in Sony Japan specifications; approximately 175 g including NP-BG1, Memory Stick Duo and supplied accessories
MaterialsMetal aluminium body in Sony Hong Kong launch sheet–
ColoursBlack, silver, pink or blue; finishes share this modelSilver, black, red or gold; finishes share this model
In the boxNP-BG1, external battery charger, multi-use USB/AV cable, wrist strap, software/handbook CD-ROM and instructions; memory card not suppliedNP-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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