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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 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
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 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
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Launched January 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX3
Photography Glossary

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Here is a in depth overview of the Canon SD970 IS versus Panasonic ZR3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was brought out 11 months earlier than the ZR3 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SD970 IS grades versus the ZR3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic ZR3

 SD970 IS ZR3 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Canon SD970 IS

 ZR3 SD970 IS 
LaunchedJanuary 2010February 2009Fresher by 11 months

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic ZR3

 SD970 IS ZR3 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SD970 IS has got external dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Panasonic ZR3 has measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Canon SD970 IS versus Panasonic ZR3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the SD970 IS compared to the ZR3.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and ZR3 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing merely by going through specifications. The graphic underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD970 IS and ZR3.

To sum up, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Panasonic ZR3 to provide more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images more aggressively. The older SD970 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography factors
26
includes face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
28
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography info
Panasonic ZR3 Street photography info
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography advice
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
37
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD970 IS
Travel photography with Panasonic ZR3
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
65
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography details
32
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
no manual exposure
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse function
37
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Vlogging camera
28
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
wide angle not the best (37mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone support
29
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic ZR3
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 990 IS Lumix DMC-ZX3
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-18 2010-01-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias 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
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 37-185mm (5.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 2cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 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 display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1300s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 pounds) 159g (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 All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID 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 One One
Launch price - $280