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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 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
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2013
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic SZ3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and SZ3 (16MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was released 4 years before the SZ3 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SD970 IS grades against the SZ3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic SZ3

 SD970 IS SZ3 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Canon SD970 IS

 SZ3 SD970 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2013February 2009Newer by 47 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic SZ3

 SD970 IS SZ3 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Canon SD970 IS enjoys physical measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ3 has specifications of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check out the Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SD970 IS compared to the SZ3.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and SZ3 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions merely by viewing specifications. The pic underneath may provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and SZ3.

Plainly, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Panasonic SZ3 to provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SD970 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Portrait photography camera
26
includes face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
30
MP count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography advice
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography factors
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography factors
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
MP count low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
71
lighter than competition (126g)
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography advice
32
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual mode
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
39
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Vlogging camera
28
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone socket
31
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic SZ3
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Also called Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-02-18 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 2cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 4.10 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 gr (0.35 pounds) 126 gr (0.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing - $150