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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
88
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
34
Overall
35

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 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 SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Revealed July 2012
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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Canon SX170 IS versus Panasonic SZ5, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is fairly comparable and they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was unveiled 14 months after the SZ5 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SX170 IS scores against the SZ5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Panasonic SZ5

 SX170 IS SZ5 
RevealedAugust 2013July 2012Newer by 14 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Canon SX170 IS

 SZ5 SX170 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic SZ5

 SX170 IS SZ5 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX170 IS enjoys outside 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 SZ5 has proportions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX170 IS versus Panasonic SZ5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the SX170 IS vs the SZ5.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and SZ5 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions simply by seeing specifications. The pic below may provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX170 IS and SZ5.

To sum up, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can anticipate the Canon SX170 IS to provide extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively. The younger SX170 IS provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography highlights
43
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
33
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX170 IS
Street photography with Panasonic SZ5
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (251 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (136 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX170 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ5
48
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
39
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography advice
Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than others in class (251 grams)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
very long zoom (448mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
70
lighter than average (136g)
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography info
49
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
42
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging advice
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than others in class (251 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone support
32
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than average (136g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone support
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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic SZ5
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-08-22 2012-07-18
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip 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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT Screen 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 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance 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 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 251 grams (0.55 lb) 136 grams (0.30 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 images 250 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $0 $195