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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(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
Panasonic ZS5
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Panasonic ZS5

 SX170 IS ZS5 
ReleasedAugust 2013June 2010Fresher by 39 months
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display dimensions3"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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

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

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography information
44
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
27
features face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS5 Street photography advice
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (251 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (214g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX170 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS5
48
long zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
31
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than competition in class (251 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
great zoom (448mm)
missing Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
63
lighter than average in class (214 grams)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
missing Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Landscape photography camera
49
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
33
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Vlogging camera
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (251g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
31
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
lighter than average in class (214g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic support
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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic ZS5
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISPanasonic 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