Panasonic FH10 has a
16.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.08 x 4.56 mm ) sized CCD sensor . On the other hand, Canon 170 IS has a
20.0MP 1/2.3' (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features DIGIC 4+ processor.
Below you can see the FH10 and 170 IS sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Panasonic FH10 and Canon 170 IS Cameras
Panasonic FH10 and Canon 170 IS 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
Panasonic FH10
or the
Canon 170 IS ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(1/2.3-inch versus 1/2.3' ),
so compare them at the same framing rather than the same focal length.
Put the same focal length on the smaller sensor and it will show less depth of
field, not more, because it also crops tighter. The calculator shows the
full frame equivalent focal length for each body so you can match the framing.