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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S3

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Canon SD970 IS
(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
Panasonic S3
(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
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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").

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic S3

 SD970 IS S3 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Canon SD970 IS

 S3 SD970 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2011February 2009Newer by 22 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic S3

 SD970 IS S3 
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and S3 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
26
has face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
28
decent megapixels (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography highlights
Panasonic S3 Street photography highlights
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic S3
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography features
Panasonic S3 Travel photography features
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
68
lighter than competitors (117g)
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography info
Panasonic S3 Landscape photography info
32
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not available
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
38
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging advice
Panasonic S3 Vlogging advice
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone port
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic support
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic S3
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPanasonic 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