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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH8

Portability
88
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
32
Overall
35

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH8 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
  • Released August 2013
  • Old Model is Canon SX160 IS
Panasonic FH8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 123g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH8 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Canon SX170 IS versus Panasonic FH8, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the FH8 (16MP) is fairly close and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was revealed 20 months after the FH8 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a short overview of how the SX170 IS grades versus the FH8 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Panasonic FH8

 SX170 IS FH8 
LaunchedAugust 2013January 2012More modern by 20 months
Manually focus Dial exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH8 over the Canon SX170 IS

 FH8 SX170 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic FH8

 SX170 IS FH8 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH8 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX170 IS enjoys outer measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH8 has dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 123 grams (0.27 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX170 IS versus Panasonic FH8 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX170 IS compared to the FH8.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH8 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and FH8 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH8 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH8 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to see the contrast in sensor sizes purely by researching specifications. The pic below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX170 IS and FH8.

Plainly, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact MP therefore you should expect comparable quality of photographs although you might want to consider the release date of the cameras into account. The more recent SX170 IS is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH8 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH8 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX170 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic FH8
43
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
includes face detection focus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
34
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FH8 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (251g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (123 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography information
Panasonic FH8 Sports photography information
48
incredible zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 fps)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FH8 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than competition (251g)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
long zoom (448mm)
no Time Lapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
68
lighter than average (123g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography details
Panasonic FH8 Landscape photography details
49
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
42
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
manual exposure not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging information
Panasonic FH8 Vlogging information
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
lighter than competition (251g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic support
33
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than average (123 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FH8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic FH8
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FH8
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-08-22 2012-01-09
Physical type 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 16MP
Anti aliasing 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 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.5-6.4
Macro focus distance 1cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 grams (0.55 lb) 123 grams (0.27 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" 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 images 260 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $0 $149