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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
88
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
36
Features
57
Overall
44

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 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
  • Announced August 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX160 IS
Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Introduced January 2015
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS45
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS60
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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

Here is a thorough overview of the Canon SX170 IS versus Panasonic ZS50, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and ZS50 (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX170 IS was brought out 16 months earlier than the ZS50 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SX170 IS grades against the ZS50 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Panasonic ZS50

 SX170 IS ZS50 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Canon SX170 IS

 ZS50 SX170 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2015August 2013Fresher by 16 months
Screen resolution1040k230kCrisper screen (+810k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic ZS50

 SX170 IS ZS50 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX170 IS features outside 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 ZS50 has dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX170 IS versus Panasonic ZS50 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the SX170 IS compared to the ZS50.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SX170 IS and ZS50 is 88 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to envision the difference between sensor sizing merely by reading specs. The visual underneath might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and ZS50.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Canon SX170 IS to offer more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The older SX170 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography factors
43
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
comes with face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
41
has manual focus
has face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography details
Panasonic ZS50 Street photography details
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (251g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
68
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
lighter than others (243g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography info
48
amazing zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
43
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX170 IS
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS50
68
lighter than competition in class (251g)
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
very long zoom (448mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
66
lighter than others (243g)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
low MP (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Landscape photography camera
49
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
51
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX170 IS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS50
31
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (251 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone port
34
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (243g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
missing mic jack
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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic ZS50
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ70
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-08-22 2015-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
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 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB 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) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 251 gr (0.55 lbs) 243 gr (0.54 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 44
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 138
Other
Battery life 300 photos 300 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $0 $350