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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH6

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH6 Key Specs

Canon SD970 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 37-185mm (F3.2-5.7) lens
  • 160g - 96 x 57 x 26mm
  • Released February 2009
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Panasonic FH6
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 119g - 96 x 56 x 20mm
  • Released January 2012
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH6 Overview

Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic FH6, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the FH6 (14MP) is very similar and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was launched 3 years prior to the FH6 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SD970 IS matches up versus the FH6 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic FH6

 SD970 IS FH6 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH6 over the Canon SD970 IS

 FH6 SD970 IS 
ReleasedJanuary 2012February 2009More modern by 35 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic FH6

 SD970 IS FH6 
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH6 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Canon SD970 IS enjoys outside measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH6 has sizing of 96mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 119 grams (0.26 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic FH6 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the SD970 IS compared to the FH6.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH6 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and FH6 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH6 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH6 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to picture the gap between sensor sizes just by reviewing technical specs. The image here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and FH6.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic FH6 to offer you extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH6 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH6 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD970 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic FH6
26
has face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
33
decent megapixels (14MP)
features face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FH6 as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (119 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography info
Panasonic FH6 Sports photography info
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
good battery pack (280 shots)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography factors
Panasonic FH6 Travel photography factors
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
70
good battery pack (280 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (119g)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FH6 Landscape photography highlights
32
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
41
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good battery pack (280 per charge)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging features
Panasonic FH6 Vlogging features
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
32
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than average in class (119g)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic FH6
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FH6
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-02-18 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/2.5-6.4
Macro focus distance 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 4.60 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG 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 160g (0.35 lb) 119g (0.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 96 x 56 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 280 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing - $129