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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH3

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
21
Overall
30

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH3 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
  • Announced February 2009
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS11
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH3 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Canon SD970 IS versus Panasonic FH3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the FH3 (14MP) is relatively similar and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was unveiled 10 months before the FH3 so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SD970 IS grades versus the FH3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic FH3

 SD970 IS FH3 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Canon SD970 IS

 FH3 SD970 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2010February 2009Fresher by 10 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic FH3

 SD970 IS FH3 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH3 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Canon SD970 IS offers outside measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH3 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD970 IS versus Panasonic FH3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the SD970 IS compared to the FH3.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and FH3 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing only by reviewing technical specs. The visual below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SD970 IS and FH3.

As you have seen, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can count on the Panasonic FH3 to deliver more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The older SD970 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH3 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography details
Panasonic FH3 Portrait photography details
26
has face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
28
good resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Panasonic FH3
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic FH3
25
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
low frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FH3 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
65
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD970 IS
Landscape photography with Panasonic FH3
32
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Timelapse recording
37
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD970 IS
Vlogging with Panasonic FH3
28
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
wide angle not the best (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone port
29
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic FH3
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 990 IS Lumix DMC-FS11
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-02-18 2010-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/2.8-6.9
Macro focusing distance 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 6.80 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160 grams (0.35 lb) 165 grams (0.36 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID 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 card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost - $160