Size and weight are big decision factors when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs.
In this section, we are going to illustrate the Canon 400D and Sony W310 side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Canon 400D has external dimensions of 127 x 94 x 65 mm (5 x 3.7 x 2.56″) and weighs 556 g (1.23 lb / 19.61 oz) (including batteries). Sony W310 has external dimensions of 95 x 55 x 19 mm (3.74 x 2.17 x 0.75″) and weighs 137 g (0.30 lb / 4.83 oz) (including batteries).
Below you can see the front-view size comparison of the Canon 400D and the Sony W310. Sony W310 is clearly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 32mm narrower, 39mm shorter and 46mm thinner than Canon 400D. As you can tell, actually this is not a fair size comparison since Sony W310 has a built-in lens but Canon 400D doesn't. Once you put a lens on 400D, its thickness will increase significantly.
Weight is another important factor, especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day.
Sony W310 is significantly lighter (419g ) than the Canon 400D which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.
Again, this comparison may not be very useful in real life as we are comparing the weight of a camera with a built-in lens to the body-only weight of an interchangeable lens camera. Once you put a lens on 400D, the total kit will weigh much higher.
Weather Sealing
Unfortunately neither the Canon EOS 400D (EOS Digital Rebel XTi / EOS Kiss Digital X) nor Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 provides any type of weather sealing in their bodies, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections: Top DSLR Cameras with Weather Sealing Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing
LCD Screen Size and Features
Sony W310's 2.70" LCD screen is slightly larger than Canon 400D's 2.5" screen.
Unfortunately, both cameras has fixed screens so they don't tilt or flip in directions.