Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS10
88 Imaging
39 Features
41 Overall
39


91 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40
Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS10 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
- Announced August 2013
- Superseded the Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 219g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
- Revealed January 2011
- Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ20 / Lumix DMC-TZ22

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS10 Overview
In this write-up, we will be contrasting the Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic ZS10, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the ZS10 (14MP) is relatively similar and they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SX170 IS was launched 2 years after the ZS10 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SX170 IS grades against the ZS10 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS10 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10. The complete galleries are available at Canon SX170 IS Gallery & Panasonic ZS10 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Panasonic ZS10
SX170 IS | ZS10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2013 | ![]() | January 2011 | More modern by 32 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focusing |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS10 over the Canon SX170 IS
ZS10 | SX170 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic ZS10
SX170 IS | ZS10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen |
Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS10 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX170 IS enjoys outside 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) and the Panasonic ZS10 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 219 grams (0.48 lbs).
See the Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic ZS10 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX170 IS and the ZS10.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and ZS10 is 88 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS10 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizes just by reading technical specs. The picture here should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX170 IS and ZS10.
As you can tell, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Canon SX170 IS to deliver greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The younger SX170 IS is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS10 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS10 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Panasonic |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 |
Also Known as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ20 / Lumix DMC-TZ22 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2013-08-22 | 2011-01-25 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
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 | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 23 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 24-384mm (16.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 60 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 5.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest 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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 251 gr (0.55 pounds) | 219 gr (0.48 pounds) |
Dimensions | 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") |
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 photographs | 260 photographs |
Battery form | 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 | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $0 | $350 |