• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony DSC-W170 advantages over Panasonic G5

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    24 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 18 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic G5 advantages over Sony DSC-W170

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.69 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
  • Fast startup
    ~1.30 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.19 vs 0.36 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.2 fps vs 1.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

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Buy the Panasonic G5

Review Excerpt

  • Small, compact body with excellent focusing and exposure capabilities; Newly enhanced touchpanel LCD screen makes image capture and review a joy; Excellent HD video recording quality.

  • Some controls difficult to access; Too easy to activate menus and options while shooting; Lack of a microphone-in jack limits video recording usefulness.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FS20

Sony DSC-W170
Panasonic DMC-FS20
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Panasonic G5
Panasonic DMC-FS20
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon SD890 IS

Sony DSC-W170
Canon SD890 IS
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
Panasonic G5
Canon SD890 IS
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic DMC-TS1

Sony DSC-W170
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Fast startup
  • HDMI out
Panasonic G5
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic G6

Sony DSC-W170
Panasonic G6
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic G5
Panasonic G6
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Panasonic G7

Sony DSC-W170
Panasonic G7
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic G5
Panasonic G7
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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