Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS5
88 Imaging
40 Features
41 Overall
40


92 Imaging
35 Features
30 Overall
33
Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs
(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
- Old Model is Canon SX160 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
- Released June 2010
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview
On this page, we are analyzing the Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic ZS5, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and ZS5 (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SX170 IS was revealed 3 years later than the ZS5 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief view of how the SX170 IS matches up against the ZS5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5. The full galleries are viewable at Canon SX170 IS Gallery & Panasonic ZS5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Panasonic ZS5
SX170 IS | ZS5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2013 | ![]() | June 2010 | Fresher by 39 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Canon SX170 IS
ZS5 | SX170 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic ZS5
SX170 IS | ZS5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither offers Touch display |
Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX170 IS offers outer dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS5 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).
Compare the Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic ZS5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the SX170 IS vs the ZS5.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX170 IS and ZS5 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it's hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by checking technical specs. The photograph below will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and ZS5.
As you have seen, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Canon SX170 IS to resolve extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The more modern SX170 IS is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Panasonic |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 |
Otherwise known as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ8 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2013-08-22 | 2010-06-16 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 4 | Venus Engine HD II |
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 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 11 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 60 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/1300 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 5.30 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 251 grams (0.55 lbs) | 214 grams (0.47 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" 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 shots | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6LH | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $0 | $300 |