Canon SX170 IS has a
16.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features Digic 4 processor. On the other hand, Panasonic FP8 has a
12.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.08 x 4.56 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features Venus Engine V processor.
Below you can see the SX170 IS and FP8 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic FP8 Cameras
Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic FP8 have almost the same sensor size, so neither of them has any significant advantage over the other in terms of providing control over depth of field when used with the same focal length and aperture.
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Canon SX170 IS
or the
Panasonic FP8 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
