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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH5

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
31
Overall
35

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH5 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
  • Launched August 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX160 IS
Panasonic FH5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Released January 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS18
Photography Glossary

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH5 Overview

Here is a thorough comparison of the Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the FH5 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they possess the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was released 2 years later than the FH5 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a short overview of how the SX170 IS scores versus the FH5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Panasonic FH5

 SX170 IS FH5 
ReleasedAugust 2013January 2011Fresher by 32 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Canon SX170 IS

 FH5 SX170 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic FH5

 SX170 IS FH5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH5 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SX170 IS has external dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Panasonic FH5 has proportions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the SX170 IS versus the FH5.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and FH5 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to envision the gap between sensor sizing only by looking at technical specs. The photograph here will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and FH5.

As you can tell, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of files though you will need to factor the age of the products into consideration. The younger SX170 IS is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH5 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography details
Panasonic FH5 Portrait photography details
44
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
34
good MP (16MP)
supports face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX170 IS
Street photography with Panasonic FH5
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (251g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features touch to focus
lighter than competition in class (121 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FH5 as a Sports photography camera
48
excellent zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
supports tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX170 IS
Travel photography with Panasonic FH5
68
lighter than average in class (251g)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
very long zoom (448mm)
missing Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
71
lighter than competition in class (121 grams)
features touch to focus
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography factors
Panasonic FH5 Landscape photography factors
49
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
38
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging info
Panasonic FH5 Vlogging info
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than average in class (251g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone jack
33
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (121g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic FH5
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FH5
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-FS18
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-08-22 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 251g (0.55 lb) 121g (0.27 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
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 260 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $0 $169