Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S3
94 Imaging
35 Features
24 Overall
30
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs
(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
- Launched February 2009
- Other Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 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
- Revealed January 2011
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S3 Overview
In this article, we are reviewing the Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the S3 (14MP) is very comparable and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe SD970 IS was launched 22 months prior to the S3 making the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SD970 IS scores versus the S3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S3 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SD970 IS Gallery & Panasonic S3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic S3
SD970 IS | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") | |
Display resolution | 461k | 230k | Sharper display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Canon SD970 IS
S3 | SD970 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2011 | February 2009 | Newer by 22 months |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic S3
SD970 IS | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | No manual focus | |||
Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
Selfie screen | Neither includes selfie screen | |||
Touch display | Neither includes Touch display |
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison
If you're going to travel with your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS features exterior dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Panasonic S3 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).
Look at the Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the SD970 IS vs the S3.
Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and S3 is 94 and 96 respectively.
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is tough to picture the difference in sensor dimensions just by seeing technical specs. The pic below will help offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and S3.
As you have seen, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Panasonic S3 to provide more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S3 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Panasonic |
Model | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 |
Also called | Digital IXUS 990 IS | - |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2009-02-18 | 2011-01-05 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Venus Engine IV |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 37-185mm (5.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.2-5.7 | f/3.1-5.6 |
Macro focus range | 2cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Screen resolution | 461k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 8 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m | 3.30 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported 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 file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 160 grams (0.35 lb) | 117 grams (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 All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 250 images |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-5L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | - | $110 |