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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH6

Portability
88
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH6 Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Old Model is Canon SX160 IS
Panasonic FH6
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 119g - 96 x 56 x 20mm
  • Introduced January 2012
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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH6 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH6, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the FH6 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX170 IS was announced 20 months after the FH6 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a full comparison, here is a brief view of how the SX170 IS scores vs the FH6 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Panasonic FH6

 SX170 IS FH6 
IntroducedAugust 2013January 2012Newer by 20 months
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH6 over the Canon SX170 IS

 FH6 SX170 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic FH6

 SX170 IS FH6 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH6 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SX170 IS has got external measurements 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 FH6 has proportions of 96mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 119 grams (0.26 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH6 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have at that moment. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the SX170 IS and the FH6.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH6 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX170 IS and FH6 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH6 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH6 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to picture the difference between sensor dimensions just by looking at technical specs. The picture underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX170 IS and FH6.

As you can tell, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can count on the Canon SX170 IS to resolve greater detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The younger SX170 IS should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH6 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH6 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FH6 Portrait photography factors
43
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
33
decent megapixels (14MP)
supports face detect focus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX170 IS
Street photography with Panasonic FH6
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (251 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (119g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography highlights
Panasonic FH6 Sports photography highlights
48
amazing zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
supports tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
39
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
great battery (280 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography details
Panasonic FH6 Travel photography details
68
lighter than competition in class (251 grams)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
very long zoom (448mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
70
great battery (280 per charge)
lighter than competition (119g)
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX170 IS
Landscape photography with Panasonic FH6
49
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
41
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
great battery (280 shots)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging info
Panasonic FH6 Vlogging info
31
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (251g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
32
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
lighter than competition (119 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic support
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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic FH6
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FH6
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-08-22 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
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 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.5-6.4
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 4.60 m
Flash options Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 251 gr (0.55 pounds) 119 gr (0.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 96 x 56 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 300 images 280 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $0 $129