Canon IXUS 185 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W810 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Compact · 20 MP · 1/2.3” · Standard HD video
Canon IXUS 185
48
SCORE
|
Sony · Compact · 20 MP · 1/2.3” · Standard HD video
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W810
50
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon IXUS 185 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W810 are fixed-lens pocket compacts for simple point-and-shoot photography. Canon released its camera in 2017, three years after the Sony arrived in 2014, so the IXUS is the newer design. The Sony is the lighter carry at 111 g against 126 g for the Canon. The Canon measures 95.2×54.3×22.1 mm and the Sony 97×56×21 mm, so either camera slips into a shirt pocket. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2017 | 2014 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 14, 2017 | January 14, 2014 |
| Camera type |  Compact | Compact |
| Camera size | 95.2×54.3×22.1 mm | 97 x 56 x 21 mm |
| Camera weight | 126 g | 111 g |
| Optics | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe IXUS 185 is the better choice when your subject moves. Continuous shooting runs at 30 frames per second against 1 fps on the W810, and the Canon's 1/2000 second top shutter gives shorter exposures than the Sony's 1/1500. Nine autofocus points offer more focus placement options than the Sony's single point. Each camera pairs 20 megapixels with a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor and stabilisation, so prints and crops get the same pixel count. Neither has a viewfinder. The Sony's standard ISO range reaches 3200 against the Canon's 800, giving more sensitivity options indoors without flash. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5152 x 3864 | 5152 x 3864 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CCD | CCD |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
6.17 x 4.55 | 6.17 x 4.55 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 1/2.3” | 1/2.3” |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
30 fps045 | 1 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fixed | Fixed |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 4+ | Unspecified |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
8003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
16003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
1444080 | 144080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
200080032000 | 150080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 10300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | None |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 34/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras keep video casual. Each has a maximum video resolution of Standard HD and a maximum frame rate of 30 fps, so there is no 4K detail and no slow-motion headroom. The editing choice differs in file format. The Canon writes MPEG-4 and MOV files, while the Sony records MPEG4 and AVI, so check which container your editing software prefers. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Standard HD | Standard HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1280 x 720 | 1280 x 720 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MPEG4, AVI |
| Features | 34/100 | 47/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe W810 is the more connected camera, offering both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, while the Canon offers neither. The Sony's screen also flips out for group self-portraits and awkward angles, where the Canon's screen stays fixed. The screen type labels differ, LCD on the Canon and TFT LCD on the Sony, but each is a 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot non-touch display with live view. Both carry a built-in flash, and neither includes GPS for geotagging travel photos or any weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
✗ | ✗ |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.7" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
No |  Yes |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 13/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryCanon's NB-11LH battery is rated for 220 shots per charge against 200 for the Sony's NP-BN. The Canon also recharges over USB, so a laptop or power bank can top it up on the road. The Sony does not. Storage differs in card support. Both use one card slot, with the Canon taking SD, SDHC and SDXC cards with UHS-I support, and the Sony adding Memory Stick Pro Duo compatibility to the same SD range. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NB-11LH | NP-BN |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
220 shots1505000 | 200 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the IXUS 185 for anything that moves. Its 30 fps burst, nine autofocus points and shorter top shutter suit children, pets and sports that the W810's single frame per second would miss. USB charging also lets a power bank top it up on the road.
Choose the W810 if wireless connection and self-portraits matter, since it offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and a screen that flips out for group shots and low angles. Its ISO settings also reach 3200 against the Canon's 800 for dim rooms without flash. For static scenes the two share a 20-megapixel count and the same Standard HD video ceiling, so pick by speed or by sharing.