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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic TS4

Portability
88
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic TS4 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
  • Revealed August 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX160 IS
Panasonic TS4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
  • Revealed January 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FT4
  • Succeeded the Panasonic TS3
  • Updated by Panasonic TS5
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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic TS4 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic TS4, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and TS4 (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was introduced 19 months later than the TS4 making them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SX170 IS matches up vs the TS4 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Panasonic TS4

 SX170 IS TS4 
RevealedAugust 2013January 2012Fresher by 19 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS4 over the Canon SX170 IS

 TS4 SX170 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic TS4

 SX170 IS TS4 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic TS4 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX170 IS provides external dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Panasonic TS4 has dimensions of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") and a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs).

See the Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic TS4 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the SX170 IS compared to the TS4.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic TS4 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and TS4 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic TS4 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic TS4 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing only by going through specs. The graphic underneath might provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX170 IS and TS4.

All in all, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You should expect to see the Canon SX170 IS to show more detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos way more aggressively. The younger SX170 IS should have an edge in sensor tech.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic TS4 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic TS4 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic TS4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography info
Panasonic TS4 Portrait photography info
43
manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
21
no manual focus
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography details
Panasonic TS4 Street photography details
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (251g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX170 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic TS4
48
amazing zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
37
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
better than average battery (310 per charge)
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic TS4 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competition in class (251g)
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
very long reach (448mm)
missing Time Lapse function
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
66
better than average battery (310 shots)
environment proof
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic TS4 as a Landscape photography camera
49
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
41
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
better than average battery (310 shots)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging features
Panasonic TS4 Vlogging features
31
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (251 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic socket
31
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic port
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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic TS4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic TS4
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-TS4
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FT4
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Revealed 2013-08-22 2012-01-31
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Venus Engine FHD
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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-448mm (16.0x) 28-128mm (4.6x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1300 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change 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, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 251g (0.55 lb) 197g (0.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1")
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 shots 310 shots
Style 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
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $0 $399