• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 8.3 megapixels
  • 15.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon 170 advantages over Panasonic GX850

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $550 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer video battery life
    60 vs 20 minutes
    Capture more video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic GX850 advantages over Nikon 170

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 1.61 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 345k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 8.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 1/2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Impressive image quality; Sleek design; 4K video recording; Good overall performance; Tilting touchscreen; Enjoyable user experience.

  • No EVF; No hot shoe, Short 4K clip limit; MicroSD card slot, Poor battery life.

  • Read our Panasonic GX850 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon SD1200 IS

Nikon 170
Canon SD1200 IS
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon 170 vs Canon SD1200 IS

Panasonic GX850
Canon SD1200 IS
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Canon SD1200 IS

Compared to Nokia N8

Nikon 170
Nokia N8
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon 170 vs Nokia N8

Panasonic GX850
Nokia N8
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Nokia N8

Compared to Samsung Galaxy S II

Nikon 170
Samsung Galaxy S II
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash

Compare Nikon 170 vs Samsung Galaxy S II

Panasonic GX850
Samsung Galaxy S II
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Samsung Galaxy S II

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Nikon 170
Panasonic GM5
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon 170 vs Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GX850
Panasonic GM5
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Nikon 170
Panasonic GF7
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon 170 vs Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GX850
Panasonic GF7
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic GF7

Compare Other Cameras?