Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FX580
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30


95 Imaging
34 Features
29 Overall
32
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FX580 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
- Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 167g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
- Introduced January 2009
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FX550

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FX580 Overview
In this article, we will be analyzing the Canon SD970 IS versus Panasonic FX580, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the FX580 (12MP) is relatively close and they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SD970 IS was introduced about the same time to the FX580 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SD970 IS scores against the FX580 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FX580 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580. The whole galleries are provided at Canon SD970 IS Gallery and Panasonic FX580 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic FX580
SD970 IS | FX580 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FX580 over the Canon SD970 IS
FX580 | SD970 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic FX580
SD970 IS | FX580 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2009 | ![]() | January 2009 | Same generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FX580 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SD970 IS has exterior 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) and the Panasonic FX580 has measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Compare the Canon SD970 IS versus Panasonic FX580 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the SD970 IS and the FX580.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and FX580 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FX580 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very hard to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions only by viewing technical specs. The picture below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and FX580.
As you can tell, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same MP and you should expect comparable quality of files but you should always take the production date of the cameras into account.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FX580 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FX580 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 |
Also called as | Digital IXUS 990 IS | Lumix DMC-FX550 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2009-02-18 | 2009-01-27 |
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 | 12MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Max enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 37-185mm (5.0x) | 25-125mm (5.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.2-5.7 | f/2.8-5.9 |
Macro focusing range | 2cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 461 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 60 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 6.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE 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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file 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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 160g (0.35 lb) | 167g (0.37 lb) |
Dimensions | 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | - | $499 |