Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic SZ5
88 Imaging
39 Features
41 Overall
39


95 Imaging
37 Features
34 Overall
35
Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5. The full galleries are viewable at Canon SX170 IS Gallery & Panasonic SZ5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Panasonic SZ5
SX170 IS | SZ5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2013 | ![]() | July 2012 | Newer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurements |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Panasonic 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 |