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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LF1

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
55
Overall
44

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LF1 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
  • Announced February 2009
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Panasonic LF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-200mm (F2.0-5.9) lens
  • 192g - 103 x 62 x 28mm
  • Revealed November 2013
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LF1 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic LF1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the LF1 (12MP) is fairly close but the SD970 IS (1/2.3") and LF1 (1/1.7") offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The SD970 IS was introduced 5 years before the LF1 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SD970 IS scores versus the LF1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic LF1

 SD970 IS LF1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic LF1 over the Canon SD970 IS

 LF1 SD970 IS 
RevealedNovember 2013February 2009Fresher by 58 months
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display resolution920k461kSharper display (+459k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic LF1

 SD970 IS LF1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LF1 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SD970 IS enjoys 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) and the Panasonic LF1 has proportions of 103mm x 62mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic LF1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the SD970 IS compared to the LF1.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LF1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and LF1 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LF1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LF1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizing only by researching specifications. The graphic here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and LF1.

To sum up, both the cameras feature the identical megapixel count but not the same sensor sizing. The SD970 IS offers the smaller sensor which should make getting shallower DOF harder. The older SD970 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LF1 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LF1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LF1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD970 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic LF1
26
features face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
42
has manual focus
features face detect focus
supports RAW files
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic LF1 as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic LF1
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
38
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography advice
Panasonic LF1 Travel photography advice
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
64
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
no Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography advice
Panasonic LF1 Landscape photography advice
32
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse function
54
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging information
Panasonic LF1 Vlogging information
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic jack
36
fairly wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not contain selfie friendly display
no mic port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LF1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic LF1
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-LF1
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1
Alternative name Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-02-18 2013-11-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 28-200mm (7.1x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/2.0-5.9
Macro focus distance 2cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 7.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 gr (0.35 pounds) 192 gr (0.42 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 103 x 62 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 52
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.6
DXO Low light score not tested 211
Other
Battery life - 250 photos
Type of battery - 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 1 1
Pricing at release - $500