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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S1

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S1 Key Specs

Canon SD970 IS
(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
Panasonic S1
(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
Photography Glossary

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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic S1

 SD970 IS S1 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Canon SD970 IS

 S1 SD970 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011February 2009More modern by 22 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic S1

 SD970 IS S1 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography info
Panasonic S1 Portrait photography info
26
offers face detect focus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD970 IS
Street photography with Panasonic S1
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic S1
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
27
image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography info
Panasonic S1 Travel photography info
51
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
62
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography info
Panasonic S1 Landscape photography info
32
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
32
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic S1 as a Vlogging camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
wide angle not great (37mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic port
31
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic S1
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPanasonic 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