Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH2
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30


96 Imaging
37 Features
33 Overall
35
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH2 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH2 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2. The complete galleries are available at Canon SD970 IS Gallery and Panasonic FH2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic FH2
SD970 IS | FH2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Canon SD970 IS
FH2 | SD970 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 22 months |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic FH2
SD970 IS | FH2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH2 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Panasonic 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 |