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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS80

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
70
Overall
56

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS80 Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
  • Announced August 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX160 IS
Panasonic ZS80
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 327g - 112 x 69 x 42mm
  • Introduced February 2018
  • Also Known as Lumix DC-TZ95
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS70
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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS80 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Canon SX170 IS versus Panasonic ZS80, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the ZS80 (20MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was announced 5 years earlier than the ZS80 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SX170 IS matches up vs the ZS80 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Panasonic ZS80

 SX170 IS ZS80 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS80 over the Canon SX170 IS

 ZS80 SX170 IS 
IntroducedFebruary 2018August 2013Fresher by 54 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k230kClearer screen (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic ZS80

 SX170 IS ZS80 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS80 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Canon SX170 IS features outside dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS80 has sizing of 112mm x 69mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 327 grams (0.72 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX170 IS versus Panasonic ZS80 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the SX170 IS versus the ZS80.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS80 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX170 IS and ZS80 is 88 and 86 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS80 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS80 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to see the gap in sensor sizing simply by going through technical specs. The visual here should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX170 IS and ZS80.

As you have seen, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Panasonic ZS80 to produce greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The older SX170 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS80 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS80 Portrait photography information
44
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports face detect focus
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
54
focusing manually
good resolution (20 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX170 IS
Street photography with Panasonic ZS80
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (251 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
75
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS80 Sports photography highlights
48
incredible zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
61
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
has tracking focus
good battery life (380 per charge)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS80 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than average (251g)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
very long zoom (448mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
79
good battery life (380 CIPA)
supports bluetooth
comes with touch to focus
good resolution (20MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS80 as a Landscape photography camera
49
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
62
focusing manually
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (380 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS80 Vlogging information
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
lighter than average (251 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
73
decently wide (24mm)
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have mic jack
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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic ZS80
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISPanasonic Lumix DC-ZS80
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80
Also referred to as - Lumix DC-TZ95
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-08-22 2018-02-18
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,330k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 5.60 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 251g (0.55 lbs) 327g (0.72 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 112 x 69 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 380 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $0 $448