Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX5

Below, we are evaluating the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic LX5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the LX5 (10MP) is very comparable but the SD970 IS (1/2.3") and LX5 (1/1.63") come with different sensor measurements.

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The SD970 IS was unveiled 3 years before the LX5 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SD970 IS matches up vs the LX5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5. The full galleries are available at Canon SD970 IS Gallery & Panasonic LX5 Gallery.

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SD970 IS provides outside 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 LX5 has measurements of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic LX5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the SD970 IS and the LX5.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and LX5 is 94 and 88 respectively.

Typically, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements just by seeing technical specs. The visual below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and LX5.

As you can tell, the two cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SD970 IS using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more challenging and the Canon SD970 IS will provide more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos much more aggressively. The older SD970 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.