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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH8

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH8 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
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Panasonic FH8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 123g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH8 Overview

The following is a extended review of the Canon SD970 IS versus Panasonic FH8, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and FH8 (16MP) but they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was manufactured 3 years earlier than the FH8 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the SD970 IS matches up against the FH8 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic FH8

 SD970 IS FH8 
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH8 over the Canon SD970 IS

 FH8 SD970 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012February 2009Newer by 35 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic FH8

 SD970 IS FH8 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH8 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and volume. The Canon SD970 IS has exterior 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 FH8 has sizing of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 123 grams (0.27 lbs).

Examine the Canon SD970 IS versus Panasonic FH8 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the SD970 IS versus the FH8.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH8 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and FH8 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH8 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH8 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to envision the gap in sensor dimensions purely by going through specifications. The pic below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SD970 IS and FH8.

To sum up, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Panasonic FH8 to show greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH8 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH8 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography features
Panasonic FH8 Portrait photography features
26
features face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
34
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography advice
Panasonic FH8 Street photography advice
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (123g)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic FH8
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FH8 as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
69
lighter than others in class (123g)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
no Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD970 IS
Landscape photography with Panasonic FH8
32
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual exposure
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
43
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
manual mode not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging information
Panasonic FH8 Vlogging information
27
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone socket
33
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (123g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone jack
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FH8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic FH8
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FH8
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8
Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Class 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 measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/2.5-6.4
Macro focus range 2cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 pounds) 123g (0.27 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" 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 - 260 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price - $149