Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX7
94 Imaging
35 Features
24 Overall
30
![Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Canon-PowerShot-SD970-IS.jpg)
![Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 front Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-LX7/Panasonic-LX7-front.jpg)
86 Imaging
35 Features
61 Overall
45
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX7 Key Specs
(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
- Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-90mm (F1.4-2.3) lens
- 298g - 111 x 68 x 46mm
- Released October 2012
- Superseded the Panasonic LX5
- New Model is Panasonic LX10
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX7 Overview
Let's take a deeper look at the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic LX7, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the LX7 (10MP) is very comparable but the SD970 IS (1/2.3") and LX7 (1/1.7") use totally different sensor sizing.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
The SD970 IS was announced 4 years prior to the LX7 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple view of how the SD970 IS matches up vs the LX7 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX7 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7. The whole galleries are provided at Canon SD970 IS Gallery and Panasonic LX7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic LX7
SD970 IS | LX7 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic LX7 over the Canon SD970 IS
LX7 | SD970 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | October 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 44 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 461k | Clearer display (+459k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic LX7
SD970 IS | LX7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX7 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to carry your camera often, you have to consider its weight and size. The Canon SD970 IS has outer dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Panasonic LX7 has specifications of 111mm x 68mm x 46mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.8") along with a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs).
Check out the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic LX7 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the SD970 IS and the LX7.
![Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX7 size comparison Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX7 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-PowerShot-SD970-IS-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-LX7-size-comparison.jpg)
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and LX7 is 94 and 86 respectively.
![Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX7 top view buttons comparison Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX7 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-PowerShot-SD970-IS-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-LX7-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX7 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing purely by seeing specs. The photograph underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and LX7.
All in all, both of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SD970 IS with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Canon SD970 IS will provide greater detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The older SD970 IS will be behind in sensor tech.
![Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX7 sensor size comparison Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX7 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Canon-PowerShot-SD970-IS-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-LX7-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX7 Screen and ViewFinder
![Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-PowerShot-SD970-IS-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-LX7-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic LX7 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 |
Also Known as | Digital IXUS 990 IS | - |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2009-02-18 | 2012-10-15 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Venus Engine |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/1.7" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 7.44 x 5.58mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 41.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
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 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 37-185mm (5.0x) | 24-90mm (3.8x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.2-5.7 | f/1.4-2.3 |
Macro focusing range | 2cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 4.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 461 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 60 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 11.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 8.50 m |
Flash options | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported 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 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | 160 grams (0.35 lbs) | 298 grams (0.66 lbs) |
Dimensions | 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 111 x 68 x 46mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 50 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 20.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.7 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 147 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 330 photos |
Battery format | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-5L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | - | $400 |