Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH20
88 Imaging
40 Features
41 Overall
40


93 Imaging
36 Features
21 Overall
30
Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH20 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed August 2013
- Superseded the Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 178g - 100 x 56 x 28mm
- Announced January 2010
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS30

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH20 Overview
On this page, we will be looking at the Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH20, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the FH20 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX170 IS was introduced 3 years later than the FH20 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before getting into a full comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the SX170 IS matches up against the FH20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH20 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20. The whole galleries are provided at Canon SX170 IS Gallery & Panasonic FH20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Panasonic FH20
SX170 IS | FH20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2013 | ![]() | January 2010 | More recent by 45 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FH20 over the Canon SX170 IS
FH20 | SX170 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic FH20
SX170 IS | FH20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH20 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to lug around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX170 IS has exterior dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH20 has sizing of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).
Compare the Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH20 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the SX170 IS vs the FH20.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SX170 IS and FH20 is 88 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH20 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements simply by looking at specs. The photograph here will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX170 IS and FH20.
All in all, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can count on the Canon SX170 IS to give you extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The younger SX170 IS provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH20 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH20 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Panasonic |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 |
Alternate name | - | Lumix DMC-FS30 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2013-08-22 | 2010-01-06 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | 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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 28-224mm (8.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 60 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 5.80 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash options | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 251g (0.55 lb) | 178g (0.39 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 100 x 56 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | 300 shots | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6LH | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $0 | $179 |