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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX3

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
40
Overall
35

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Key Specs

Canon SD970 IS
(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
Panasonic LX3
(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
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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.

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic LX3

 SD970 IS LX3 
Screen resolution461k460kSharper 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 
ReleasedFebruary 2009November 2008Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and LX3 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX3 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD970 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic LX3
26
has face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
39
has manual focus
supports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Panasonic LX3
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
60
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
more heavy than competitors in class (265 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography highlights
Panasonic LX3 Sports photography highlights
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
26
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic LX3 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
60
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors in class (265g)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography info
Panasonic LX3 Landscape photography info
32
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
no manual control
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
52
has manual focus
really wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging info
Panasonic LX3 Vlogging info
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
wide angle not fantastic (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone socket
30
really wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (265 grams)
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic LX3
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPanasonic 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