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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 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
  • Announced February 2009
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Announced July 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

Below is a extensive review of the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic ZR1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the ZR1 (12MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was launched 5 months prior to the ZR1 and they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SD970 IS matches up vs the ZR1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic ZR1

 SD970 IS ZR1 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Canon SD970 IS

 ZR1 SD970 IS 

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic ZR1

 SD970 IS ZR1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2009July 2009Same age
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS provides external 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 ZR1 has dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic ZR1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have at that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the SD970 IS compared to the ZR1.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and ZR1 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to visualize the difference in sensor measurements purely by going through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath may offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD970 IS and ZR1.

Clearly, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same MP and you can expect comparable quality of photos though you really should take the launch date of the cameras into account.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Portrait photography camera
26
supports face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
20
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography advice
Panasonic ZR1 Street photography advice
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD970 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic ZR1
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
57
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD970 IS
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR1
32
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
32
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Vlogging camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
wide angle not great (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support
28
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic ZR1
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Also Known as Digital IXUS 990 IS Lumix DMC-ZX1
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-02-18 2009-07-27
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine V
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 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 2cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 5.10 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
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 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 gr (0.35 pounds) 158 gr (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 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 card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release - $280