Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR1
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SD970 IS Gallery & Panasonic ZR1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic ZR1
SD970 IS | ZR1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2009 | ![]() | July 2009 | Same age |
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Panasonic 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 |