Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX3
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30
91 Imaging
33 Features
40 Overall
35
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Key Specs
(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
- Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-60mm (F2.0-2.8) lens
- 265g - 109 x 60 x 27mm
- Released November 2008
- Renewed by Panasonic LX5
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Overview
Here is a in depth comparison of the Canon SD970 IS versus Panasonic LX3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the LX3 (10MP) is relatively comparable but the SD970 IS (1/2.3") and LX3 (1/1.63") offer totally different sensor measurements.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe SD970 IS was introduced 4 months later than the LX3 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SD970 IS scores versus the LX3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3. The whole galleries are available at Canon SD970 IS Gallery and Panasonic LX3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic LX3
| SD970 IS | LX3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen resolution | 461k | 460k | Sharper screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Canon SD970 IS
| LX3 | SD970 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | More accurate focus |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic LX3
| SD970 IS | LX3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | February 2009 | November 2008 | Same generation | |
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" | Same screen measurements | |
| Selfie screen | Lacking selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Lacking Touch screen |
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SD970 IS provides external dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LX3 has sizing of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).
Compare the Canon SD970 IS versus Panasonic LX3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the SD970 IS compared to the LX3.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and LX3 is 94 and 91 respectively.
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing just by seeing technical specs. The graphic here should provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and LX3.
As you can tell, both cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SD970 IS having a smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Canon SD970 IS will produce more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively.
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Screen and ViewFinder
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoStreet Comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneSports Comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesTravel Comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthLandscape Comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsVlogging Comparison
Photography Glossary
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Canon | Panasonic |
| Model type | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 |
| Otherwise known as | Digital IXUS 990 IS | - |
| Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Released | 2009-02-18 | 2008-11-04 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/1.63" |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 8.07 x 5.56mm |
| Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 44.9mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
| Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 37-185mm (5.0x) | 24-60mm (2.5x) |
| Largest aperture | f/3.2-5.7 | f/2.0-2.8 |
| Macro focusing distance | 2cm | 1cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 4.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of screen | 461 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 15s | 60s |
| Max shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/2000s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | 3.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 3.50 m | 8.30 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| 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) | 1280 x 720 (HD 24 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (10fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | - |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| 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 sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 160 grams (0.35 lb) | 265 grams (0.58 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | not tested | 39 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 19.6 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 10.8 |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | 94 |
| Other | ||
| Battery ID | NB-5L | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Price at release | - | $449 |