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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FX580

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
29
Overall
32

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FX580 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
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Panasonic FX580
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic FX580

 SD970 IS FX580 
Screen resolution461k230kClearer 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 
IntroducedFebruary 2009January 2009Same generation
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FX580 size comparison

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

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FX580 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FX580 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FX580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD970 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic FX580
26
supports face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
26
supports face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography details
Panasonic FX580 Street photography details
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic FX580
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FX580 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
58
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography information
Panasonic FX580 Landscape photography information
32
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
36
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging information
Panasonic FX580 Vlogging information
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
wide angle not good (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
30
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic FX580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic FX580
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPanasonic 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