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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FS12

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FS12 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
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
Photography Glossary

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FS12 Overview

Below is a extensive analysis of the Canon SD970 IS versus Panasonic FS12, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the FS12 (12MP) is very similar and both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was manufactured very close to the FS12 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras have different body design with the Canon SD970 IS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SD970 IS grades vs the FS12 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic FS12

 SD970 IS FS12 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Canon SD970 IS

 FS12 SD970 IS 

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic FS12

 SD970 IS FS12 
LaunchedFebruary 2009April 2009Similar generation
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FS12 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera often, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SD970 IS has got external 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 FS12 has measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SD970 IS versus Panasonic FS12 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the SD970 IS versus the FS12.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FS12 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and FS12 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FS12 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FS12 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to visualize the gap between sensor measurements only by going over specs. The visual underneath will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and FS12.

All in all, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels so you should expect similar quality of photographs however you may want to consider the production date of the products into consideration.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FS12 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Portrait photography camera
26
features face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
21
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography features
Panasonic FS12 Street photography features
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic FS12
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD970 IS
Travel photography with Panasonic FS12
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography advice
32
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging details
Panasonic FS12 Vlogging details
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
wide angle not good (37mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
no external microphone port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic FS12
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
Also called Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Revealed 2009-02-18 2009-04-17
Body design Compact Ultracompact
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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 31-124mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
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) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data 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 gr (0.35 lbs) 129 gr (0.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" 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 card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing - $228