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Canon 170 IS vs Panasonic FS12

Portability
95
Imaging
45
Features
29
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26

Canon 170 IS vs Panasonic FS12 Key Specs

Canon 170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.6-7.0) lens
  • 141g - 100 x 58 x 23mm
  • Released January 2015
  • Additionally referred to as IXUS 170
Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Released April 2009
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Canon 170 IS vs Panasonic FS12 Overview

Below is a extended comparison of the Canon 170 IS and Panasonic FS12, both Ultracompact cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the 170 IS (20MP) and FS12 (12MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The 170 IS was manufactured 5 years later than the FS12 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the 170 IS grades versus the FS12 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Panasonic FS12

 170 IS FS12 
ReleasedJanuary 2015April 2009More recent by 70 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Canon 170 IS

 FS12 170 IS 

Common features in the Canon 170 IS and Panasonic FS12

 170 IS FS12 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Canon 170 IS vs Panasonic FS12 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon 170 IS provides external dimensions of 100mm x 58mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Panasonic FS12 has proportions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon 170 IS and Panasonic FS12 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the 170 IS versus the FS12.

Canon 170 IS vs Panasonic FS12 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 170 IS and FS12 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Canon 170 IS vs Panasonic FS12 top view buttons comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Panasonic FS12 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to see the contrast in sensor measurements merely by researching specifications. The visual underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the 170 IS and FS12.

To sum up, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Canon 170 IS to provide you with extra detail due to its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more recent 170 IS will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Canon 170 IS vs Panasonic FS12 sensor size comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 170 IS vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 170 IS Portrait photography info
Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography info
38
good resolution (20 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
20
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon 170 IS
Street photography with Panasonic FS12
59
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon 170 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic FS12
43
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second low (0.8 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon 170 IS Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FS12 Travel photography highlights
69
good resolution (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.6)
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 170 IS Landscape photography features
Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography features
41
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.6)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 170 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Vlogging camera
32
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
slow max aperture (f3.6)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone support
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external microphone support
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Canon 170 IS vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 170 IS and Panasonic FS12
 Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
Also Known as IXUS 170 -
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Released 2015-01-06 2009-04-17
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4+ -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5152 x 3864 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 31-124mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.6-7.0 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 0.8 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m 6.30 m
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 141 grams (0.31 pounds) 129 grams (0.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 58 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-11L/LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $149 $228