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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
36
Features
40
Overall
37

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 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
  • Launched August 2013
  • Superseded the Canon SX160 IS
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
Photography Glossary

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Canon SX170 IS versus Panasonic FZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is pretty similar and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was launched 3 years after the FZ40 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX170 IS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the SX170 IS scores vs the FZ40 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Panasonic FZ40

 SX170 IS FZ40 
LaunchedAugust 2013July 2010More modern by 38 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Canon SX170 IS

 FZ40 SX170 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic FZ40

 SX170 IS FZ40 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Canon SX170 IS features external 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) while the Panasonic FZ40 has sizing of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") and a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX170 IS versus Panasonic FZ40 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. Here is the front view size comparison of the SX170 IS against the FZ40.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and FZ40 is 88 and 68 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes merely by going over a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and FZ40.

Clearly, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Canon SX170 IS to offer you greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots far more aggressively. The more modern SX170 IS is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography features
Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography features
44
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
comes with face detect focusing
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
45
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
delivers RAW files
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (251 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than competitors in class (494 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Sports photography camera
48
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
43
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography information
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography information
68
lighter than competition (251g)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
great zoom (448mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
54
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors in class (494 grams)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography information
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography information
49
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
51
focusing manually
really wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Vlogging camera
31
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than competition (251 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
22
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone port
more heavy than competitors in class (494g)
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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic FZ40
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-08-22 2010-07-21
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Venus Engine HD II
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 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 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 9.50 m
Flash modes Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
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 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
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 251 grams (0.55 pounds) 494 grams (1.09 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
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 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $0 $420