Both Panasonic SZ1 and Canon SX170 IS have 1/2.3-inch sized 16.0 MP resolution sensors so sensor size and resolution is not a differentiator between these two cameras.
Below you can see the SZ1 and SX170 IS sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Panasonic SZ1 and Canon SX170 IS Cameras
Panasonic SZ1 and Canon SX170 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 SZ1
or the
Canon SX170 IS ,
including hyperfocal distance.
