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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic 3D1

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
36
Overall
35

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic 3D1 Key Specs

Canon SD970 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 37-185mm (F3.2-5.7) lens
  • 160g - 96 x 57 x 26mm
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Panasonic 3D1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 193g - 108 x 58 x 24mm
  • Announced November 2011
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic 3D1 Overview

Below is a in depth overview of the Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic 3D1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the 3D1 (12MP) is fairly close and both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was introduced 3 years prior to the 3D1 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a full comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SD970 IS matches up versus the 3D1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic 3D1

 SD970 IS 3D1 
Display resolution461k460kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic 3D1 over the Canon SD970 IS

 3D1 SD970 IS 
AnnouncedNovember 2011February 2009More recent by 33 months
Display size3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic 3D1

 SD970 IS 3D1 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic 3D1 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS enjoys external measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Panasonic 3D1 has dimensions of 108mm x 58mm x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic 3D1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the SD970 IS and the 3D1.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic 3D1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and 3D1 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic 3D1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic 3D1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to see the contrast in sensor measurements simply by researching technical specs. The graphic below may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and 3D1.

As you can tell, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical resolution so you should expect comparable quality of pictures but you have to consider the release date of the cameras into account. The older SD970 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic 3D1 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic 3D1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic 3D1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic 3D1 Portrait photography highlights
26
includes face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
26
includes face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic 3D1 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has touch focus
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic 3D1 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
30
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery (200 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography features
Panasonic 3D1 Travel photography features
51
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
59
has touch focus
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery (200 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography factors
Panasonic 3D1 Landscape photography factors
32
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not available
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
35
quite wide (25mm)
bigger than average screen (3.5 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
no manual control
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery (200 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging information
Panasonic 3D1 Vlogging information
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
34
quite wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
missing external mic port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic 3D1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic 3D1
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-3D1
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-02-18 2011-11-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.9-5.7
Macro focus range 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3.5"
Display resolution 461k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT Full Touch Screen with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1300s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 gr (0.35 pounds) 193 gr (0.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 108 x 58 x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 200 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch - $670