Clicky

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH2

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH2 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
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Panasonic FH2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FS16
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH2 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic FH2, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the FH2 (14MP) is relatively similar and they come with the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SD970 IS was released 22 months earlier than the FH2 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SD970 IS matches up vs the FH2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

        

Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic FH2

 SD970 IS FH2 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Canon SD970 IS

 FH2 SD970 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2011February 2009More modern by 22 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic FH2

 SD970 IS FH2 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH2 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Canon SD970 IS has got 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) whilst the Panasonic FH2 has specifications of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic FH2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SD970 IS against the FH2.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH2 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and FH2 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH2 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reviewing specs. The pic underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD970 IS and FH2.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should count on the Panasonic FH2 to deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH2 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography details
Panasonic FH2 Portrait photography details
26
has face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
33
megapixel count good (14MP)
includes face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography factors
Panasonic FH2 Street photography factors
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (121g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic FH2
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
great battery power (270 per charge)
low frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography information
Panasonic FH2 Travel photography information
51
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
72
great battery power (270 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (121g)
boasts focus by touch
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FH2 as a Landscape photography camera
32
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
41
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
great battery power (270 CIPA)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FH2 as a Vlogging camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone port
32
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (121g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic FH2
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
Alternative name Digital IXUS 990 IS Lumix DMC-FS16
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-02-18 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
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 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus range 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 gr (0.35 lbs) 121 gr (0.27 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
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 - 270 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail price - $149