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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS10

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 front
Portability
91
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS10 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
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
Panasonic ZS10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 219g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Released January 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ20 / Lumix DMC-TZ22
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS10 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic ZS10, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SD970 IS (12MP) and the ZS10 (14MP) is pretty close and they feature the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SD970 IS was manufactured 23 months before the ZS10 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SD970 IS scores vs the ZS10 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Panasonic ZS10

 SD970 IS ZS10 
Screen resolution461k460kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS10 over the Canon SD970 IS

 ZS10 SD970 IS 
ReleasedJanuary 2011February 2009Fresher by 23 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic ZS10

 SD970 IS ZS10 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS10 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Canon SD970 IS has got physical dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS10 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 219 grams (0.48 lbs).

Check the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic ZS10 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the SD970 IS compared to the ZS10.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS10 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD970 IS and ZS10 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS10 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS10 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to see the difference in sensor sizing simply by looking through specifications. The graphic here might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SD970 IS and ZS10.

Plainly, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Panasonic ZS10 to provide you with extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older SD970 IS will be behind in sensor tech.

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS10 sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS10 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS10 Portrait photography info
26
supports face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
30
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS10 Street photography factors
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch to focus
lighter than others (219g)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS10 Sports photography advice
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
47
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS10 Travel photography features
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
67
lighter than others (219 grams)
supports touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (384mm)
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS10 as a Landscape photography camera
32
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
no manual control
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse function
42
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS10 Vlogging factors
28
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
wide angle not great (37mm)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone port
34
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (219 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
missing microphone port
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Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic ZS10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic ZS10
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS Lumix DMC-TZ20 / Lumix DMC-TZ22
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-02-18 2011-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 2cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 gr (0.35 lbs) 219 gr (0.48 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 life - 260 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing - $350