Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S1
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30


96 Imaging
35 Features
21 Overall
29
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S1 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
- Released February 2009
- Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Announced January 2011

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S1 Overview
Let's look closer at the Canon SD970 IS versus Panasonic S1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the S1 (12MP) is very comparable and they feature the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SD970 IS was brought out 22 months prior to the S1 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SD970 IS matches up versus the S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S1 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1. The entire galleries are provided at Canon SD970 IS Gallery and Panasonic S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic S1
SD970 IS | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Canon SD970 IS
S1 | SD970 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 22 months |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic S1
SD970 IS | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly display |
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SD970 IS provides external measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Panasonic S1 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).
Compare the Canon SD970 IS versus Panasonic S1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the SD970 IS versus the S1.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and S1 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it's tough to see the gap in sensor sizes just by going through specs. The image below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SD970 IS and S1.
As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same resolution so you should expect comparable quality of pictures however you will need to consider the production date of the cameras into account. The more aged SD970 IS will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 |
Also called as | Digital IXUS 990 IS | - |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2009-02-18 | 2011-01-05 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Venus Engine IV |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 37-185mm (5.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.2-5.7 | f/3.1-5.6 |
Macro focusing distance | 2cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Display resolution | 461k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display tech | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 8 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames per second | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.50 m | 3.30 m |
Flash options | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 gr (0.35 lb) | 117 gr (0.26 lb) |
Dimensions | 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 240 photos |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
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/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail cost | - | $269 |